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PRIDE  AND  PREJUDICE 

A  PLAY 


PRIDE  AND  PREJUDICE 


A  PLAY 


FOUNDED  ON  JANE  AUSTENS 
NOVEL 


By 


MRS.    STEELE    MACKAYE 


NEW  YORK 
DUFFIELD  AND  COMPANY 

1Q22 


Copyright,  1906,  by 
DUFFIKLD    &    COMPANY. 

Published  September,  1906. 


SPECIAL   COPYRIGHT   NOTICE. 

This  play  is  fully  protected  by  copyright,  all  requirements  of  the 
law  having  been  complied  with.  Performances  may  be  given  only 
with  the  written  permission  of  Duffield  &  Company,  agents  for 
Mrs.  Steele  Mackaye,  owner  of  the  acting  rights. 

Extract  from  the  law  relating  to  copyright : 

"SEC  4996.  Any  person  publicly  performing  or  representing 
any  dramatic  or  musical  composition  for  which  a  copyright  has 
been  obtained,  without  the  consent  of  the  proprietor  of  said 
dramatic  or  musical  composition  or  his  heirs  or  assigns,  shall  be 
liable  for  damages  therefor,  such  damages  in  all  cases  to  be  as- 
sessed at  such  sum  not  less  than  one  hundred  dollars  for  the  first 
and  fifty  dollars  for  every  subsequent  performance  as  to  the  Court 
shall  appear  just.  If  the  unlawful  performance  and  representation 
be  wilful  and  not  for  profit,  such  person  or  persons  shall  be 
guilty  of  a  misdemeanor,  and  upon  conviction  be  imprisoned  for  a 
period  not  exceeding  one  year. ' ' 


PERSONS  OF  THE  PLAY 

MR.  DARCY — (of Pemberley,  Derbyshire).  "Possessed  of  a 
fine  tall  person,  handsome  features,  noble  mien,  and  .  .  . 
ten  thousand  a  year  .  .  .  clever  .  .  .  haughty,  re- 
served and  fastidious;  his  manners,  though  well-bred,  were 
not  inviting.  *  Some  people  call  him  proud,*  said  Mrs.  Rey- 
nolds, the  housekeeper  at  Pemberley, '  but  I  am  sure  I  never 
saw  anything  of  it.  .  .  .  He  is  the  best  landlord  and 
the  best  master  that  ever  lived.' " 

MR.  BINGLEY — (of  Netherfield,  Hertfordshire,  Darcy's 
Friend).  "Just  what  a  young  man  ought  to  be;  sensible 
and  good-humoured,  lively  .  .  .  such  happy  manners! 
So  much  ease,  with  such  perfect  good  breeding  .  .  . 
Also  handsome,  which  a  young  man  ought  likewise  to  be 
if  he  possibly  can." 

COLONEL  FITZ  WILLI  AM— (Cousin  to  Darcy).  "About 
thirty,  not  handsome,  but  in  person  and  address  most  truly 
the  gentleman." 

MR.  BENNET — (of  Longbourn).  "An  odd  mixture  of  quick 
parts,  sarcastic  humour,  reserve  and  caprice.  He  was  fond 
of  the  country  and  of  books,  and  from  these  tastes  had 
arisen  his  principal  enjoyments." 

MR.  COLLINS — (a  Cousin  of  Mr.  Bennet,  and  Next  in  the 
Entail  of  Longbourn  Estate).  "A  tall,  heavy-looking 
young  man  of  five-and-twenty.  His  air  was  grave  and 
stately,  and  his  manners  very  formal.  His  veneration 
for  his  patroness,  Lady  Catherine  de  Bourg,  mingling  with 
a  very  good  opinion  of  himself  and  of  his  authority  as  a 
clergyman  .  .  .  made  him  altogether  a  mixture  of 
pride  and  obsequiousness,  self-importance  and  humility" 


£v9.J  *i£l  i 


vi  PERSONS   OF   THE   PLAY 

SIR  WILLIAM  LUCAS — (an  Intimate  Friend  and  Neigh- 
bour of  the  Bennets).  "Formerly  in  trade  in  Meryton 
.  .  .  he  had  risen  to  the  honour  of  knighthood  by  an 
address  to  the  King  during  his  mayoralty.  The  distinction 
had  .  .  .  given  him  a  disgust  to  his  business,  and, 
.  .  .  quitting  it,  he  had  removed  .  .  .  to  Lucas 
Lodge,  where  he  could  think  with  pleasure  of  his  own  im- 
portance, and  .  .  .  occupy  himself  solely  in  being  civil 
to  all  the  world" 

COLONEL  FORSTER— (the  Colonel  of  the  Regiment 
Stationed  at  Meryton). 

MR.  WICKHAM — (an  Officer  in  the  Regiment).  "Endowed 
with  all  the  best  parts  of  beauty — a  fine  countenance, 
a  good  figure,  and  <a  very  pleasing  address.  As  false 
and  deceitful  as  he  is  insinuating." 

MR.  DENNY — (Another  Officer  in  the  Regiment). 

HARRIS — (thb  Butler  at  Longbourn). 

MRS.  BENNET — (the  Wife  of  Mr.  Bennet).  "A  woman  of 
mean  understanding,  little  information,  and  uncertain  tem- 
per. When  she  was  discontented  she  fancied  herself  ner- 
vous. The  business  of  her  life  was  to  get  her  daughters 
married;  its  solace  was  visiting  and  news." 

JANE — (Eldest  Daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bennet).  "She 
united  with  great  strength  of  feeling  a  composure  of 
temper  and  a  uniform  cheerfulness  of  manner.  Her  mild 
and  steady  candour  always  pleaded  allowances,  and  urged 
the  possibility  of  mistakes." 

ELIZABETH — (Their  Second  Daughter).  "Although  not  so 
handsome  as  Jane,  her  face  teas  rendered  uncommonly  in- 
telligent by  the  beautiful  expression  of  her  dark  eyes. 
She  had  a  lively,  playful  disposition,  which  delighted  in 
anything  ridiculous,  with  more  quickness  of  observation 
and  less  pliancy  of  temper  than  her  sister.  There  was  a 
mixture  of  sioeetness  and  archness  in  her  manner  which 
made  it  difficult  for  her  to  affront  anybody." 


PERSONS   OF  THE   PLAY  vii 

LYDIA — (Their  Youngest  Daughter).  "A  stout,  well-grown 
girl  of  fifteen,  with  a  fine  complexion  and  a  good-humoured 
countenance — a  favourite  with  her  mother,  whose  affection 
had  orought  her  into  public  at  an  early  age." 

LADY  LUCAS— (the  Wife  of  Sir  William).  "  Not  too  clever 
to  be  a  valuable  neighbour  to  Mrs.  Bennet." 

CHARLOTTE  LUCAS— (Daughter  of  Sir  William  and 
Lady  Lucas).  "A  sensible,  intelligent  young  woman, 
about  twenty-seven,    .    .    .    Elizabeth's  intimate  friend." 

MISS  BINGLEY— (Sister  of  Mr.  Bingley).  "A  very  pie 
lady    .    .    .    but  proud  and  conceited." 

LADY  CATHERINE  DE  BOURG— (Aunt  of  Darcy  and 
Patroness  of  Mr.  Collins).  "A  tall,  large  woman,  with 
strongly  marked  features,  which  might  once  have  been 
handsome.  Her  air  was  not  conciliating.  .  .  .  What- 
ever she  said,  was  spoken  in  so  authoritative  a  tone  as 
marked  her  self-importance." 

HILL — (the  Housekeeper  at  Longbourn). 

MARTHA — (the  Maid  at  Mr.  Collins's  Parsonage). 


ACT   I 

The  Dbawing-Room  at  Longbourn 

ACT  II 

The  Orangery  at  Netherfield 
One  Month  Later 

ACT  III 

Mr.  Collins's  Parsonage  at  Hunsford 
Three  Months  Later 

ACT   IV 

The  Shrubbery  at  Longbourn 
One  Week  Later 

Place:  England  Time:  1796 


"In  the  novels  of  the  last  hundred  years  there  are  vast 
numbers  of  young  ladies  with  whom  it  might  be  a  pleasure  to 
fall  in  love, — but  to  live  with  and  to  marry,  I  do  not  know  that 
any  of  them  can  come  into  competition  with  Elizabeth  Bennet" 
— George  Saintsbury.  Preface  to  the  Peacock  Edition  of 
"Pride  and  Prejudice." 


ACT   I 


PRIDE  AND  PREJUDICE 

A    PLAY 

ACT   I 

The  drawing-room  at  Longboum.  At  the  back,  wide 
glass  doors  open  upon  a  terrace  which  overlooks  an 
English  landscape.  It  is  winter,  and  coals  are  burn- 
ing in  the  fireplace.  On  each  side  of  the  glass  doors 
are  rounded  recesses  with  windows.  On  one  side  of 
the  room  a  door  opens  into  the  library.  On  the  other 
side  is  a  door  to  the  hall — the  chief  entrance  of  the 
house.  The  room  is  handsomely  furnished  in  eight- 
eenth century  style.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bennet  are 
discovered  sitting  on  either  side  of  the  table.  Mrs. 
Bennet  is  knitting — Mr.  Bennet  reading. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[After  a  slight  pause  and  laying  down  her  knitting.] 
My  dear  Mr.  Bennet,  did  not  you  hear  me?    Did  you 
know  that  Netherfield  Park  is  let  at  last? 

Mr.  Bennet. 

[Continues  reading  and  does  not  answer."] 


2  PRIJ}E  j  AND'  -  PREJUDICE :    A    PLAY 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Impatiently.']     Do  not  you  want  to  know  who  has 
taken  it? 

Mr.  Bennet. 
[Ceases  reading  and  looks  up  at  her  with  an  amused 
smile.]     Yon  want  to  tell  me,  and  I  have  no  objection  to 
hearing  it. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[With  animation.]  Why,  my  dear,  you  must  know  Lady 
Lucas  says  that  Netherfield  is  taken  by  a  young  man  of 
large  fortune  from  the  North  of  England.  His  name  is 
Bingley,  and  he  is  single,  my  dear.  Think  of  that,  Mr. 
Bennet !  A  single  man  of  large  fortune ;  four  or  five  thou- 
sand pounds  a  year.    What  a  fine  thing  for  our  girls ! 

Mr.  Bennet. 
How  so?    How  can  it  affect  them? 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
My  dear  Mr.  Bennet,  how  can  you  be  so  tiresome !    You 
must  know  that  I  am  thinking  of  his  marrying  one  of 
them. 

Mr.  Bennet. 
Is  that  his  design  in  settling  here? 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Design ! — Nonsense !     How  can  you  talk  so  ?    But  it  is 
very  likely  that  he  will  fall  in  love  with  one  of  them,  and 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  3 

therefore  you  must  visit  him  as  soon  as  you  can.  Con- 
sider your  daughters,  Mr.  Bennet !  Only  think  what  an 
establishment  it  would  be  for  one  of  them !  Sir  William 
and  Lady  Lucas  are  determined  to  go  merely  on  that  ac- 
count. Indeed  you  must  go,  for  it  will  be  impossible  for 
us  to  visit  him  if  you  do  not. 

Mr.  Bennet. 
[Who  has  risen  during  this  last  speech  and  now  stands 
with  his  lack  to  the  fire,  facing  Mrs.  Bennet.]  You 
are  overscrupulous,  surely.  I  dare  say  Mr.  Bingley  will 
be  very  glad  to  see  you,  and  I  will  send  a  few  lines  to 
assure  him  of  my  hearty  consent  to  his  marrying  which- 
ever he  chooses  of  the  girls — though  I  must  throw  in  a 
good  word  for  my  little  Lizzy. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Sharply."]     I  desire  you  will  do  no  such  thing !     Lizzy 
is  not  a  bit  better  than  the  others.     She  is  not  half  as  hand- 
some as  Jane,  nor  as  good-humoured  as  Lydia.    But  you 
are  always  giving  her  the  preference. 

Mr.  Bennet. 
Not  unless  she  deserves  it,  my  dear.  But  in  this  par- 
ticular instance  my  poor  little  Lizzy  is  the  only  one  who 
is  unprovided  for.  Lydia  and  the  others  belong  in  the 
schoolroom,  and  you  tell  me  that  Mr.  Collins  has  already 
spoken  for  Jane. 


4  PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Oh,  that  odious  Mr.  Collins !    I  wish  he  had  never  come 
here.    I  wish  I  might  never  hear  his  name  again ! 

Mr.  Bennet. 

Mr.  Collins  odious!    You  surprise  me!    I  thought  that 
he  had  won  your  full  approval. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Fretfully.]  Oh,  well,  since  he  had  to  be  your  cousin, 
and  since  you  will  not  do  anything  about  the  entail,  I 
suppose  it  will  be  a  mercy  if  he  does  marry  Jane.  [Half 
crying.]  But  I  do  think,  Mr.  Bennet,  it  is  the  hardest 
thing  in  the  world  that  we  have  no  son  of  our  own,  so  that 
your  property  has  to  be  entailed  away  from  your  own 
wife  and  children,  so  if  you  should  die,  we  may  all  be 
turned  out  of  the  house  whenever  this  Mr.  Collins  pleases. 
[In  bewailing  tone.]  He  certainly  does  seem  to  have  all 
the  luck  in  the  world.  Here  he  has  just  got  this  good 
living  from  that  grand  Lady  Catherine  de  Bourg. 

Mr.  Bennet. 
But,  my  dear,  that  will  soon  be  your  luck,  as  well.    You 
forget  that  your  daughter  is  to  profit  by  it. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Well,  perhaps.     I  don't  know  about  that,  but,   [With 
renewed  excitement.]     I  do  know  that  it  is  too  monstrous 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  5 

that  after  you  are  gone  I  shall  be  forced  to  make  way  for 
this  man  and  live  to  see  him  master  in  this  house ! 

Mr.  Bennet. 
My  dear,  do  not  give  way  to  such  gloomy  thoughts. 
Let  us  hope  for  better  things.    Let  us  natter  ourselves  that 
I  may  be  the  survivor. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[This  is  not  very  consoling   to   Mrs.   Bennet;  and 
therefore,  instead  of  making  answer,  she  goes  on  as  he- 
fore.']     If  it  was  not  for  the  entail  I  should  not  mind  it. 

Mr.  Bennet. 
What  should  not  you  mind  ? 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
I  should  not  mind  anything  at  all. 

Mr.  Bennet. 
Let  us  be  thankful  that  you  are  preserved  from  a  state 
of  such  insensibility.  But  it  certainly  is  a  most  iniquitous 
affair,  and  nothing  can  clear  Mr.  Collins  from  the  guilt 
of  inheriting  Longbourn.  However,  you  know  he  is  doing 
his  best  to  mend  matters.  He  has  not  only  handsomely 
apologised  for  his  fault,  but  he  has  now  assured  us  of  his 
readiness  to  make  every  possible  amends  by  marrying  one 
of  the  girls.  Surely,  my  dear,  you  must  acknowledge  that 
this  plan  is  excessively  generous  on  his  part. 


6  PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Dolefully.]    Well,  I  suppose  it  might  be  worse. 

Mr.  Bennet. 
[Cheerfully.]     Decidedly  worse.     With   Jane  so  well 
settled,  and  a  single  man  like  Mr.  Bingley  in  prospect, 
I  think  yon  should  be  quite  cheerful. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Excited  once  more.]     Mr.  Bingley!     We  shall  never 
know  Mr.  Bingley.     Oh,  Mr.  Bennet,  you  take  delight  in 
vexing  me.    You  have  no  compassion  on  my  poor  nerves. 

Mr.  Bennet. 
You  mistake,  my  dear.    I  have  a  high  respect  for  your 
nerves.    They  are  my  old  friends.    I  have  heard  you  men- 
tion them  with  consideration  these  twenty  years  at  least. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Ah !    You  do  not  know  what  I  suffer. 

Lydia. 
[Bursting   into    the   room,    followed   by   Jane.]     Oh, 
that  horrid  practice!     [Looking  back  at  Jane.]     Jane 
does  so  keep  me  at  it.    [Throwing  herself  into  a  chair.] 
La,  Fm  tired  to  death. 

Jane. 
[Who  sees  that  her  mother  is  half  crying,  goes  and 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  7 

stands  behind  her  chair,  puts  her  hand  affectionately  on 
her  shoulder,  and  bends  over  her.]  Does  your  head  ache, 
mamma  ? 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Of  course  my  head  aches.     Your  father  is  so  teasing. 
I  cannot  persuade  him  to  call  on  Mr.  Bingley  at  Nether- 
field,  so  I  suppose  we  shall  never  know  him. 

Jane. 
[Smiling.']    But  you  forget,  mamma,  that  we  shall  meet 
him  at  the  assemblies,  and  Lady  Lucas  has  promised  to 
introduce  him. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
I  do  not  believe  Lady  Lucas  will  do  any  such  thing.    She 
has  daughters  of  her  own.     She  is  a  selfish,  hypocritical 
woman,  and  I  have  no  opinion  of  her. 

Mr.  Bennet. 
No  more  have  I,  and  I  am  glad  to  find  that  you  do  not 
depend  on  her  serving  you. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
I  may  have  to  depend  on  her  after  all,  Mr.  Bennet, 
since  you  will  do  nothing  to  help  me.  [Fretfully  to  Lydia, 
who  has  been  yawning  and  coughing.]  Don't  keep  cough- 
ing, Lydia,  for  Heaven's  sake!  Have  a  little  compassion 
on  my  nerves. 

[Lydia  pouts  and  looks  unutterable  things.] 


8  PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Mr.  Bennet. 

Lydia  has  no  discretion  in  her  coughs.    She  times  them 
ill. 

Lydia. 

I  do  not  cough  for  my  own  amusement,  papa.     Jane, 
when  is  your  next  ball  ? 

Jane. 
To-morrow  fortnight. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Starting  excitedly.']     Ay,  so  it  is — and  Lady  Lucas 
does  not  come  back  till  the  day  before.    So  you  see  it  will 
be  impossible  for  her  to  introduce  Mr.  Bingley,  for  she 
will  not  know  him  herself. 

Mr.  Bennet. 
Then,  my  dear,  you  may  have  the  advantage  of  your 
friend,  and  you  can  introduce  Mr.  Bingley  to  her. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Impossible,  Mr.  Bennet,  when  I  am  not  acquainted  with 
him  myself.     How  can  you  be  so  teasing? 

Mr.  Bennet. 
I  honour  your  circumspection.    A  fortnight's  acquaint- 
ance is  certainly  very  little.     But  if  we  do  not  venture, 
somebody  else  will,  and  if  you  decline  the  office  I  will  take 
it  upon  myself. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  9 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[As  the  two  girls  stare  at  their  father.]     Oh,  nonsense 
— nonsense !    I  am  sick  of  Mr.  Bingley ! 

Me.  Bennet. 
I  am  sorry  to  hear  that ;  but  why  did  not  you  tell  me  so 
before  ?     If  I  had  known  as  much  a  week  ago,  I  certainly 
should  not  have  called  upon  him. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Springing  from  her  chair  and  throwing  her  arms  about 
Mr.   Bennet's  neck.']     What!     You  have  really  called 
upon  him  ?    Oh,  how  good  in  you,  my  dear  Mr.  Bennet ! 

Mr.  Bennet. 
It  is  very  unlucky;  but  as  I  have  actually  paid  the 
visit — and  as  he  will  very  likely  return  it  at  any  time,  and 
bring  his  friend,  Mr.  Darcy,  with  him — we  cannot  now 
avoid  the  acquaintance  of  Mr.  Bingley  and  his  party. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Oh,  my  dear  Mr.  Bennet,  I  was  sure  you  loved  your 
girls  too  well  to  neglect  such  an  acquaintance.  [Mr. 
Bennet  deftly  takes  her  hands  from  his  shoulders.  She 
stands  looking  fondly  at  him.]  Well,  how  pleased  I  am! 
And  it  was  such  a  good  joke  that  you  should  have  already 
paid  Mr.  Bingley  a  visit  and  never  said  a  word  about  it. 


10         PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A   PLAY 

Mr.  Bennet. 
Yes.    Yes.    Well,  I  must  go  to  the  library.     [He  goes 
to  the  door,  but  stops  for  a  moment.']     Now,  Lydia,  you  can 
cough  as  much  as  you  choose.     [He  goes  out.] 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Looking  after  Mr.  Bennet.]  What  an  excellent 
father  you  have,  girls!  [Turns  to  the  girls.]  I  do  not 
know  how  you  will  ever  make  him  amends  for  his  kind- 
ness, or  me  either,  for  that  matter.  At  our  time  of  life 
it  is  not  so  pleasant  to  be  making  new  acquaintances  every 
day.  But  for  your  sakes  we  would  do  anything.  [Loohing 
about  her.]  Where  is  Lizzy?  Lydia,  my  love,  where  is 
your  sister? 

Lydia. 
Oh,  she  is  out  walking  with  Charlotte  Lucas  and  that 
dismal  Mr.  Collins. 

Mrs.  Benket. 
Lizzy — out  walking  with  Mr.  Collins?    Why  didn't  you 
go,  Jane? 

Jane. 
I  had  to  practise  with  Lydia. 

Lydia. 

Fm  sure  I  would  have  excused  you.  But  what  is  Mr. 
Collins  here  for,  mamma  ?  I  am  sure  I  caught  Mr.  Wick- 
ham  and  Colonel  Forster  laughing  at  him  the  day  we  went 
to  Meryton.    Why  does  papa  have  a  cousin  like  that? 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:   A    PLAY  11 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
He  really  cannot  help  it.     It  is  the  entail,  my  love — 
[Mysteriously.]    But  I  hope  that  all  you  girls  will  be  very 
civil  to  him,  Jane  especially. 

Jane. 
I — mamma  ? 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Embarrassed.]     Yes — my  love. — You  see 


[She  is  interrupted  by  the  sound  of  laughter  outside, 
and  Elizabeth's  voice.] 

Elizabeth. 
Very  well,  Mr.  Collins. 

[Mrs.  Bennet  makes  a  sudden  awed  gesture  of  silence 
to  the  girls,  who  fail  to  understand.  Elizabeth 
enters  by  the  glass  doors.  She  is  dressed  in  winter 
walking  costume:  a  large  hat, — fur-trimmed  pele- 
rine, and  a  large  muff.  She  stops  in  the  doorway 
and  looks  at  Mrs.  Bennet,  half  puzzled  and 
smiling.] 

Elizabeth. 
Well,  what  is  it,  mamma  ?    What  is  the  matter  ? 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Nothing.  Hush !  What  have  you  done  with  Mr.  Collins  ? 

Elizabeth. 
[Laughing.]     Oh,  Mr.  Collins  is  safe!     He  has  gone 
round  to  the  library. 


12  PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[With  a  sigh  of  relief.']     How  providential! 

Elizabeth. 
[Looking   back.']     But  I  have  brought  someone  else 
with  me. 

[Mr.  Wickham  and  Charlotte  Lucas  come  in  gaily.] 

All. 
[Exclaiming.]     Oh,  Mr.  Wickham! 

Wickham. 
[To  Mrs.  Bennet.]  How  do  you  do,  Mrs.  Bennet? 
This  is  indeed  a  pleasure.  [Going  over  to  Jane.]  Miss 
Bennet,  I  am  so  glad  to  see  you.  [Reproachfully.]  You 
were  not  with  our  party!  [To  Lydia.]  Why  do  you 
never  come  to  Meryton,  Miss  Lydia?  Mr.  Denny  is  quite 
downcast. 

Lydia. 
[Pouting.]    La,  Mr.  Denny! 

Wickham. 
And  many  others  beside  him,  Miss  Lydia. 

[Lydia  giggles.  Wickham  returns  to  Mrs.  Bennet.] 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Well,  'tis  an  age  since  we  saw  you,  Mr.   Wickham. 
What  have  you  been  doing? 

Wickham. 
Colonel  Forster  keeps  me  so  busy  that  I  have  no  time 
for  enjoyment. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  13 

Elizabeth. 
Yes,  Mr.  Wickham  bears  all  the  marks  of  an  harassed 
and  overworked  man. 

Wickham. 
[Bowing  to  Elizabeth.]  Thank  yon,  Miss  Elizabeth. 
You  have  given  me  the  very  terms  I  needed.  [To  Mrs. 
Bennet.]  Yon  see  before  yon,  Mrs.  Bennet,  an  harassed 
and  overworked  man.  Miss  Elizabeth  will  bear  witness 
that  I  was  on  my  way  to  a  business  appointment  when 
I  yielded  to  temptation  and  went  off  for  a  walk  with  her 
and  Miss  Lucas  and  their  irreproachable  escort. 

Elizabeth. 
And  Miss  Elizabeth  will  also  testify  that  you  yielded 
with  the  celerity  and  ease  of  long  practice. 

Wickham. 
[Laughing;  to  Elizabeth.]     But  in  this  case  who  was 
the  tempter? 

Elizabeth. 
Oh,  I  will  admit  that  Mr.  Collins  was  partially  re- 
sponsible. 

[All  laugh.] 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Come,  Lizzy,  you  have  been  talking  to  Mr.  Wickham 
all  the  morning.     Now,  let  some  of  the  rest  of  us  have 
a  chance.     [Turning  to  Wickham.]     You  must  stay  to 
dinner,   Mr.   Wickham. 


14         PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

WlCKHAM. 

I  wish  I  might.  That  is  indeed  a  temptation.  But  you 
know  Miss  Elizabeth  has  just  reminded  me  of  my  duty. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Oh,  nobody  ever  minds  Lizzy ! 

WlCKHAM. 

Truly,  I  cannot  to-day,  Mrs.  Bennet.  It  is  too  bad,  but 
I  am  to  meet  Colonel  Forster  [Smiling  at  Elizabeth]  on 
important  business  at  the  Drake  Farm. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Well,  I  am  very  sorry. 

WlCKHAM. 

[Hesitatingly.]  I  might  perhaps  bring  Colonel  Forster 
in  for  a  few  moments  on  the  way  back — that  is,  if  we  re- 
turn this  way. 

All. 

Oh,  yes,  do. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Yes,  indeed.     Tell  Colonel  Forster  we  should  be  de- 
lighted to  see  him. 

WlCKHAM. 

Thank  you,  I  will.  But  now  I  really  must  be  gone. 
[Bowing  brightly  to  Jane  and  Lydia.]     Good  morning. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  15 

[To  Charlotte  Lucas.]  Good  morning,  Miss  Lucas. 
You  must  let  me  hear  more  about  those  clever  plans  of 
yours.  I  am  vastly  interested  in  them.  [To  Elizabeth.] 
Good  morning,  Miss  Elizabeth.  [Laughing.]  You  must 
try  to  temper  your  justice  with  mercy  the  next  time  I 
join  you  in  a  walk.  [Pausing,  he  loolcs  at  Mrs.  Bennet, 
who  is  standing  between  her  daughters.]  Do  you  know, 
Mrs.  Bennet,  that  you  always  remind  me  of  one  of  my  old 
schoolboy  phrases.  Filice  pulchrce! — Mater  pulchrior! 
Good-bye. 

[He  runs  off  laughing.    He  has  only  gone  a  few  steps 

when  Lydia,  who  has  been  standing  close  to  the 

door,  runs  out  and  calls  to  him.] 

Lydia. 
Oh,  Mr.  Wickham ! 

[Wickham  turns  and  Lydia  runs  up  to  him  and 
whispers  something  in  his  ear.  Wickham  laughs, 
then  shahes  his  finger  at  her,  still  laughing,  and 
goes  off.    Lydia  stops  outside  and  watches  him.] 

Jane. 
Really,  mamma,  I  think  you  should  speak  to  Lydia. 
She  is  too  forward. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Nonsense !    You  are  jealous. 

Jane. 
Jealous !    Of  Lydia  ? 


16         PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Well,  she  is  no  more  forward  than  any  of  you.  All  you 
girls  are  crazy  about  Mr.  Wickham.  [Indulgently.]  But 
I  can't  wonder  at  it.  He  certainly  is  a  most  engaging 
young  man.  What  were  those  French  words  he  said  to 
me  as  he  went  out,  Lizzy? 

Elizabeth. 
They  were  Latin,  dear.    He  paid  a  very  charming  com- 
pliment to  our  pretty  mamma.     He  said — The  daughters 
are  lovely,  but  the  mother  is  lovelier.     You  know  papa 
always  says  that  you  are  handsomer  than  any  of  us. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
My  dear  Lizzy,  I  certainly  have  had  my  share  of  beauty, 
but  I  don't  pretend  to  be  anything  extraordinary  now. 
[Mr.  Collins  enters.]    Oh,  Mr.  Collins,  there  you  are. 

Mr.  Collins. 
[Bowing  profoundly.]    I  do  not  find  Mr.  Bennet  in  the 
library,  Madam.    Do  you  know  where  he  is  ? 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Why,  really,  Mr.   Collins,  I  can't  imagine.     Did  you 
enjoy  your  walk? 

Mr.  Collins. 
Most  assuredly,  Madam.     The  beauties  of  nature,  not 
only  in  the  landscape,  but  also  [Bowing  to  Elizabeth  and 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  17 

Charlotte  Lucas.]  in  the  blooming  countenances  of  my 
fair  companions,  made  our  expedition  a  peculiarly  en- 
joyable one. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Well,  I  am  very  glad  of  it,  I  am  sure.     [To  Jane  and 
Ltdia.]     Girls,  we  haven't  told  Lizzy  and  Charlotte  the 
news. 

Elizabeth. 
What  news,  mamma? 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Looking  at  Charlotte  with  an  ill-concealed  triumph.] 
Oh,  nothing  of  consequence,  Lizzy,  only  your  father  has 
just  told  us  that  we  may  expect  a  visit  at  any  time  from 
our  new  neighbour,  Mr.  Bingley,  and  that  friend  of  his 
who  is  stopping  with  him. 

Elizabeth. 
Oh,  Mr.  Bingley !   That  will  be  entertaining.    [Suddenly 
with  mischief  she  turns  to  Mr.  Collins,  who  all  through 
this  latter  conversation  has  been  staring  at  Jane  with 
solemn  persistence.]    Do  not  you  think  so,  Mr.  Collins? 

Mr.  Collins. 
[Starting  from  his  absorption.]    Eh?    What?    [Pomp- 
ously again.]    Excuse  me,  Miss  Elizabeth,  on  what  subject 
did  you  ask  my  opinion? 


18         PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Elizabeth. 
I  asked  you  if  you  didn't  think  it  was  a  very  pleasant 
thing  to  meet  new  neighbours. 

Mr.  Collins. 
Most  assuredly,  Miss  Elizabeth,  if  those  neighbours  are 
possessed  of  those  qualifications  which  redound  to  their 
own  credit,  and  to  the  edification  of  their  friends.  Other- 
wise, as  a  clergyman,  I  must  hesitate  in  my  approval.  [To 
Mrs.  Bennet.]  You  realise,  I  am  sure,  Madam,  the 
caution  which  should  ever  be  exercised  where  my  amiable 
young  cousins  are  concerned. 

Elizabeth. 
Yes,  mamma,  you  really  should  be  cautious. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 

Nonsense!  Why,  my  dear  Mr.  Collins,  we  have  found 
out  all  about  them.  Mr.  Bingley  and  Mr.  Darcy  are  con- 
nected with  some  of  the  most  respectable  families  in 
England. 

Mr.  Collins. 

[In  amazement.']  Mr.  Darcy?  Mr.  Fitzgerald  Darcy! 
My  dear  Madam,  can  it  be  possible  that  you  are  to  be 
honoured  by  a  visit  from  him?  Respectable  indeed!  Why, 
he  is  the  nephew  of  my  noble  patroness,  Lady  Catherine 
de  Bourg.  It  is  true  that  I  have  never  yet  had  the  honour 
of  meeting  him — but  he  frequently  visits  his  aunt,  and 
she  has  promised  to  bring  him  on  some  occasion  to  inspect 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:   A   PLAY  19 

my  humble  abode.  I  am  surprised,  indeed,  by  this  civility 
on  his  part.  [Anxiously.]  I  only  fear  there  may  be  some 
mistake,  for  Mr.  Darcy  has  the  reputation  of  possessing 
a  very  natural  pride  of  birth;  but  if  your  information  is 
indeed  to  be  relied  upon,  I  think  Lady  Catherine  would 
consent  to  my  approval  of  this  visit,  provided  my  fair 
cousins  will  keep  in  mind  the  proper  attitude  of  respectful 
humility  which  should  be  assumed  toward  a  person  of  his 
superior  station. 

Elizabeth. 
We  will  promise  you,  Mr.  Collins,  never  for  one  instant 
to  forget  either  Mr.  Darcy's  exalted  position  or  our  own 
insignificance. 

Mr.  Collins. 
[Looking  at  her  with  admiration.]     With  that  assur- 
ance, Miss  Elizabeth,  I  think  even  Lady  Catherine  would 
be  satisfied.    So  I  need  no  longer  withhold  my  sanction. 

Elizabeth. 
[Curtsying.]    We  thank  you,  sir. 

Mr.  Collins. 
This  is  the  very  attitude  of  mind  I  could  desire.  [To 
Mrs.  Bennet.]  I  think,  with  your  permission,  I  will  now 
retire  again  to  the  library.  [Going  over  smilingly  to  Jane.] 
There  was  a  volume  of  Fordyce's  sermons  that  you  may 
remember  I  was  reading  to  you  in  this  room  yesterday.    I 


20  PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

do  not  find  it  in  the  library.    Do  yon  know  where  it  is? 
[Looking  about  him.] 

Jane. 
I  haven't  seen  it,  Mr.  Collins.    I  will  try  to  find  it  for 
you.     [She  starts  as  if  to  go  out  of  the  room."] 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Wishing  to  leave  them  together.]     No — no,  Lydia  will 
find  it.    Lydia,  my  love,  go  see  if  you  can  find  the  sermons 
for  Mr.  Collins. 

[Lydia,  with  a  grimace,  rises  slowly  from  her  chair.] 

Charlotte  Lucas. 
Oh,  Mrs.  Bennet,  I  am  quite  sure  that  I  saw  the  book 
in  the  hall.    I  will  go  fetch  it. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Sharply.]     On  no  account,  Charlotte.    Lydia  will  find 
the  book.     Lizzy,  go  and  get  the  mud  off  your  shoes. 

Mr.  Collins. 
Oh,  I  will  not  trouble  any  of  you  ladies. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 

It  is  no  trouble,  Mr.  Collins.  Charlotte,  if  you  will 
come  with  me,  I  have  a  parcel  I  should  like  to  send  your 
mother. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  21 

Mr.  Collins. 

But  I  assure  you,  Madam 

[As  they  go  out,  Mrs.  Bennet — looking  daggers  at 
Charlotte — tries  to  keep  Mr.  Collins  with 
Jane.] 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Lydia  will  find  your  book,  Mr.  Collins. 

Mr.  Collins. 

On  no  account,  Madam 

[With  awkward  gallantry  Mr.  Collins  ushers  out  the 
ladies — Lydia  rebellious,  Charlotte  somewhat 
offended.] 

Elizabeth. 
[With  an  amused  smile,  having  watched  the  party  van- 
ish, turns  to  Jane  and  speaks  to  her  in  mock-heroic 
fashion.]  Miss  Bennet !  Do  you  realise  the  honour  which 
is  so  soon  to  fall  upon  our  humble  home,  and  our  grate- 
fully humble  selves? 

Jane. 

[Smiling.']    Oh,  Lizzy ! 

Elizabeth. 
Do  you  really  grasp  in  its  full  significance  the  fact  that 
we  may  soon  be  honoured  by  a  visit  from  Mr.  Bingley  of 


22  PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Netherfield  and  Mr.  Fiztgerald  Darcy,  nephew  of  the  Lady 
Catherine  de  Bourg? 

Jane. 
Oh,  Lizzy,  Mr.  Collins  is  a  little  pompons,  but  he  seems 
a  very  well-meaning  young  man — indeed,  sometimes  quite 
agreeable. 

Elizabeth. 
[Looking  quizzically,  but  affectionately,  at  her  sister.] 
No  one  can  be  anything  but  agreeable  in  the  mind  of  our 
dear  Jane.  This  time,  however,  I  quite  agree  with  you, 
I  am  as  delighted  as  papa  with  Mr.  Collins.  I  can  see 
that  his  mixture  of  servility  and  importance  promises  well. 

Jane. 
And  I  think  Mr.  Bingley  and  Mr.  Darcy  promise  well. 
If  the  half  of  what  our  neighbours  say  is  true,  Mr.  Bing- 
ley will  give  us   all  sorts   of  gaieties.      [Slyly.]      Who 
knows  ?   We  may  find  him  as  entertaining  as  Mr.  Wickham. 

Elizabeth. 
As  Mr.  Wickham?    Then,  dear  Jane,  we  shall  be  rich 
indeed.      [Counting  on  her  fingers.]     For  hospitality — 
Mr.  Bingley;  for  conversation — Mr.  Wickham;  for  grand- 
eur— Mr.  Darcy,  and  the  agreeable  Mr.  Collins ! 

Jane. 

Oh,  Lizzy !    Can  not  you  let  the  poor  man  alone  ? 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY         23 

Elizabeth 
With  all  my  heart.    I  will  gladly  let  him  alone.    You 
shall  have  him  all  to  yourself.     [Mischievously.]     If  only 
Mr.  Collins  knew  your  good  opinion  of  him!     But  he  is 
too  modest  to  find  it  out  for  himself. 

Jane. 
[Playfully  pulling  Elizabeth's  ear.']    You  are  a  tease ! 

Harris. 
[Entering.]     The  two  gentlemen  from  Netherfield  have 
just  brought  their  horses  into  the  paddock,  Madam. 

Jane. 
Show  them  in,  Harris,  and  speak  to  Mrs.  Bennet  at 
once. 

[Harris  bows  and  goes  out.] 

Jane. 
They  have  come  soon,  Lizzy.    Really  this  is  very  civil 
in  them. 

Elizabeth. 
Uncommonly   civil.      Come   with   me,    Jane.     I   must 
make  myself  tidy.  Mud  and  dirty  petticoats  for  Mr.  Darcy ! 
— Oh,  that  would  never  do. 

[They  run  off,  laughing.  There  is  a  short  pause. 
Then  Mr.  Bingley  and  Mr.  Darcy  enter.  The 
latter    is    very    quiet,    with    an    air    of    scornful 


24  PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

hauteur.  Bingley,  on  the  contrary,  has  a  gracious 
and  animated  manner.  Harkis  ushers  them  in, 
much  impressed.] 

Bingley. 
[To  Harris.]     You  will  announce  us  to  Mr.  Bennet  and 
the  ladies. 

[Harris  goes  out.] 
Do  you  know,  Darcy,  I  believe  that  was  George  Wick- 
ham  we  saw  just  now,  going  toward  the  Drake  Farm. 

Darcy. 
[Quietly.]    I  think  there  is  no  doubt  of  it. 

Bingley. 
But  what  is  he  doing  here? 

Darcy. 

[With  assumed  indifference.]     Probably  it  is  his  regi- 
ment which  is  stationed  at  Meryton. 

Bingley. 
[Excitedly.]     No,  Darcy!     You  don't  mean  it!     Why, 
confound  it,  if  I  had  had  any  notion  of  that — I  .  .  . 
I  .  .  . 

Darcy. 
[Contemptuously.]      I    don't    think    we    need    mind 
Wickham. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  25 

BlNGLEY. 

But  I  do  mind !  To  think  that  I  should  bring  you  into 
the  neighbourhood  of  that  rascal 

Daroy. 
He  must  live  somewhere,  I  suppose. 

BlNGLEY. 

Yes,  unfortunately.  But,  Darcy,  you  are  a  puzzle  to 
me. — You  are,  indeed!  How  can  you  speak  with  any 
charity  of  a  man  who  for  years  abused  the  patience  and 
generous  kindness  of  your  father,  and  who  so  lately  has  at- 
tempted against  your  family  the  most  dastardly  action 
that 

Daroy. 

[Interrupting  him  with  hauteur.]  We  have  already  said 
too  much  of  George  Wickham.  I  prefer  not  to  discuss 
him  further. 

[Bingley  turns  away  hurt  and  embarrassed.    Darcy 
seeing  the  effect  of  his  words  and  manner,  goes  to 
him  hindly,  and  speaks  to  him  in  a  changed  voice.'] 
Bingley,  I  entirely  understand  your  indignation.     In- 
deed, I  share  it  so  fully  that  I  dare  not  trust  myself  to 
think  of  the  man's  villainy.    It  is  better  that  I  say  noth- 
ing of  him,  even  to  you. 

Bingley. 
[Moved.]    I  am  sure,  I  beg  your  pardon,  Darcy. 


26         PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Darcy. 
It  is  rather  for  me  to  ask  yours. 

[There  follows  an  awkward  pause,  which  Bingley  at 
length  breaks  by  speaking  in  a  tone  of  forced 
gaiety.] 

BltfGLEY. 

Pretty  place,  this. 

Darcy. 
[With  a  shrug.]     Very  small. 

Bingley. 
What  has  the  size  to  do  with  it  ?  I  think  we  are  in  luck 
to  have  such  charming  neighbours.  You  know  we  saw 
two  of  the  young  ladies  going  through  the  lane  the  other 
day.  Why,  Darcy,  one  of  them  is  the  most  beautiful 
creature  I  ever  beheld — and  the  other— the  one  with  the 
dark  eyes — she  is  uncommonly  pretty.    Don't  you  think  so  ? 

Darcy. 
She  is  tolerable,  but  fine  eyes  cannot  change  family 
connections. 

Bingley. 
[Quickly.]     What  do  you  mean?  . 

Darcy. 
I  think  I  have  heard  you  say  that  their  uncle  is  an 
attorney  in  Meryton. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  27 

BlNGLEY. 

[Shortly.]    Yes. 

Darcy. 

And  that  they  have  another  in  London  who  lives  some- 
where near  Cheapside. 

BlNGLEY.   . 

[With  irritation.]  If  they  had  uncles  enough  to  fill 
all  Cheapside,  it  wouldn't  make  them  one  jot  less  hand- 
some. 

Darcy. 

But  it  must  materially  lessen  their  chances  of  marry- 
ing men  of  any  consideration  in  the  world. 

BlNGLEY. 

Of  marrying?    You  go  fast,  Darcy, 

Darcy. 

Perhaps.  But  I  am  in  no  humour  to  give  consequence 
to  young  ladies.  I  am  here  to  please  you,  Bingley — and — ■ 
[He  smiles  meaningly.]  knowing  your  disposition,  I  think 
it  is  just  as  well  that  I  came. 

[Bingley  is  about  to  reply  when  the   door  opens 
and  Mrs.  Bennet  enters,  followed  by  Jane  and 


28  PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Elizabeth.  The  two  young  men  make  ceremonious 
lows.  Mrs.  Bennet  curtsies  and  then  advances 
with  delighted  fussiness.] 


Mrs.  Bennet. 
Good  morning,  gentlemen.     I  am  so  sorry  that  Mr. 
Bennet  has  gone  for  his  walk. 

[As  she  looks  a  little  puzzled  from  one  to  the  other, 
Bingley  advances.'] 

BiNGLEY. 

Good  morning,  Mrs.  Bennet.  I  am  Mr.  Bingley,  your 
new  neighbour  at  Netheriield.  This  is  my  friend,  Mr. 
Darcy,  of  Pendleton,  Derbyshire.  [All  how  and  curtsy. ~] 
Mr.  Bennet  has  been  so  kind  as  to  call  upon  us,  and  we  are 
most  happy  to  have  the  honour  of  waiting  upon  the  ladies 
of  his  family. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
We  are  delighted  to  see  you,  I  am  sure !    Mr.  Bingley — 
Mr.    Darcy — [Indicating    Jane] — my    eldest    daughter, 
Miss  Bennet.     [Indicating  Elizabeth] — Miss   Elizabeth 
Bennet. 

[The  girls  make  low  curtsies — the  gentlemen  low.] 
Will  not  you  be  seated,  gentlemen?     [The  guests  and 
ladies  seat  themselves.]     I  am  sure  you  must  like  Nether- 
field,  Mr.  Bingley.    I  do  not  know  a  place  in  the  country 


PRIDE    AND   PREJUDICE:   A   PLAY         29 

that  is  equal  to  Netherfield.    You  will  not  think  of  quitting 
it  in  a  hurry,  I  hope,  though  you  have  but  a  short  lease. 

BlNGLEY. 

Whatever  I  do  is  done  in  a  hurry,  Mrs.  Bennet,  and 
therefore  if  I  should  resolve  to  quit  Netherfleld  I  should 
probably  be  off  in  five  minutes.  At  present,  however, 
[looking  intently  at  Jane]  I  consider  myself  as  quite 
fixed  here. 

Jane. 

It  is  very  pleasant  to  have  Netherfield  open  once  more, 
although  you  must  both  miss  London.  There  is  so  much 
gaiety  in  London. 

Darcy. 
Yes,  in  a  country  neighbourhood  you  move  in  a  con- 
fined and  unvarying  society. 

[Mrs.  Bennet  looks  vexed  at  this  speech.] 

Elizabeth. 
But  people  themselves  alter  so  much  that  there  is  some- 
thing new  to  be  observed  in  them  forever. 

[Darcy  turns  and  looks  at  Elizabeth  with  surprise 
and  interest.] 

BlNGLEY. 

Then  you  are  a  student  of  character,  Miss  Elizabeth.  It 
must  be  an  amusing  study. 


SO  PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Yes,  Lizzy  always  likes  to  watch  people.     {Looking  at 
Darcy.]     And  there  are  plenty  of  people  about,  even  if 
you  do  live  in  the  country.     The  country  is  a  vast  deal 
pleasanter  than  London,  is  not  it,  Mr.  Bingley  ? 

BlNGLEY. 

When  I  am  in  the  country  I  never  wish  to  leave  it,  and 
when  I  am  in  town  it  is  pretty  much  the  same.  They  have 
each  their  advantages  and  I  am  equally  happy  in  either. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Ay — that   is  because  you  have  the  right  disposition. 
[Looking  at  Darcy.]    But  that  gentleman  seemed  to  think 
the  country  was  nothing  at  all. 

Elizabeth. 
[Quickly.]     Indeed,  mamma,  you  are  mistaken.     You 
quite  mistook  Mr.  Darcy.     He  only  meant  that  there  is 
not  such  a  variety  of  people  to  be  met  with  in  the  country 
as  in  town,  which  you  must  acknowledge  to  be  true. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Certainly,  my  dear,  nobody  said  there  was — but  as  to 
not  meeting  with  many  people  in  this  neighbourhood,  I 
believe  there  are  few  neighbourhoods  larger.     I  know  we 
dine  with  four-and-twenty  families. 

[As  all  become  embarrassed  at  this  speech,  Bingley 
comes  to  the  rescue.] 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  31 

BlNGLEY. 

Yes,  there  are  many  fine  estates  hereabout.  Can  you 
see  Sir  William  Lucas'  place  from  the  garden  ?  I  am  not 
quite  sure  I  have  placed  it. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Oh,  yes,  there  is  a  fine  view  of  the  chimneys  from  the 
terrace.     Sir  William  is  our  nearest  neighbour.     Such  an 

agreeable  man — so  genteel,  and  so  easy [Rising,  she 

goes  toward  the  glass  doors.]     Come,  Jane,  we  must  show 
Mr.  Bingley  Sir  William's  chimneys. 

[Mrs.  Bennet,  Bingley,  and  Jane  go  out  upon  the 
terrace.] 

Elizabeth. 
[Smiling  mischievously.]     Would  not  you  also  like  to 
see  the  chimneys,  Mr.  Darcy? 

Darcy. 
Thank  you.    Like  yourself,  I  prefer  people  to  places 

Elizabeth. 
Did  I  say  that? 

Darcy. 
Not  precisely.    But  I  have  drawn  that  conclusion. 

Elizabeth. 
[Gathering  her  sewing  materials,  begins  to  embroider.] 
Well,  I  can  laugh  at  people  better  than  places,  and  I  dearly 
love  a  laugh. 


32         PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Darcy. 
Isn't  that  rather  a  dangerous  trait,  Miss  Bennet?    The 
wisest  and  the  best  of  men  may  be  rendered  ridiculous  by 
a  person  whose  first  object  in  life  is  a  joke. 

Elizabeth. 
Certainly.    But  I  hope  I  never  ridicule  what  is  wise 
or  good.    Whims  and  inconsistencies  do  divert  me,  I  own, 
and  I  laugh  at  them  whenever  I  can.     [Mischievously.'] 
But  these,  I  suppose,  are  precisely  what  you  are  without. 

Darcy. 

Perhaps  that  is  not  possible  for  anyone.  But  it  has  been 
the  study  of  my  life  to  avoid  those  weaknesses  which  often 
expose  a  strong  understanding  to  ridicule. 

Elizabeth. 
And  in  your  list  of  weaknesses  do  you  include  such 
faults  as  vanity  and  pride,  for  instance  ? 

Darcy. 

Yes,  vanity  is  a  weakness,  indeed,  but  pride,  where  there 
is  a  real  superiority  of  mind — pride  will  be  always  under 
good  regulation. 

Elizabeth. 
I  am  perfectly  convinced,  Mr.  Darcy,  that  you  have  no 
defect. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY         33 

Darcy. 
I  have  made  no  such  pretension,  Miss  Bennet.    I  have 
faults  enough.    My  temper  I  dare  not  vouch  for.    I  can- 
not forget  the  follies  and  vices  of  others  against  myself. 
My  good  opinion  once  lost  is  lost  forever. 

Elizabeth. 
That  is   a   failing,   indeed.    Implacable  resentment  is 
a  shade  in  a  character.     But  you  have  chosen  your  fault 
well.    I  really  cannot  laugh  at  it.    You  are  safe  from  me. 

Darcy. 
There  is,  I  believe,  in  every  disposition  a  tendency  to 
some  particular  evil — a  natural  defect  which  not  even  the 
best  education  can  overcome. 

Elizabeth. 
And  your  defect  is  a  propensity  to  hate  everybody. 

Darcy. 
[Smiling.]    And  yours  to  wilfully  misunderstand  them. 
[Voices  are  heard  outside.     Elizabeth  applies  her- 
self to  her  embroidery.    Bingley,  Jane,  and  Mrs. 
Bennet  return  from  the  terrace.] 

Bingley. 

The    surrounding    country    is    really    charming,    Mrs. 
Bennet. 


34  PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
We  think  so.    But  you  must  give  us  a  ball  at  Nether- 
field,  Mr.  Bingley,  and  then  you  will  see  that  some  of  the 
people  who  live  here  are  worth  knowing. 

Elizabeth. 
[Distressed.]     Oh,  mamma! 

Jane. 

Mamma ! 

Bingley. 
Certainly,  Mrs.  Bennet.  I  had  already  decided  upon  it. 
I  told  Mr.  Darcy  only  yesterday  that  as  soon  as  my  sister, 
Miss  Bingley,  arrived,  and  Nicholas  could  make  white 
soup  enough,  I  should  send  out  my  cards.  Did  not  I, 
Darcy  ? 

Darcy. 
[Very  stiffly.]    I  believe  you  did. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Well,  that  is  vastly  good  in  you,  Mr.  Bingley;  and  then, 
perhaps,  your  friend   may   change   his   mind   about   the 
country.     [To  Darcy.]     You  didn't  come  to  admire  Sir 
William's  chimneys,  Mr.  Darcy. 

Darcy. 
I  was  admiring  your  daughter's  work,  Madam. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  35 

Mrs.  Bennet. 

Oh,  you  should  see  Jane's  work.  Lizzy  is  all  for  books, 
like  her  father.  She  is  a  great  reader  and  has  no  pleas- 
ure in  anything  else.  Jane,  show  your  embroidered  parrot 
to  Mr.  Bingley. 

Jane. 
I  do  not  think  Mr.  Bingley  would  be  interested,  ma'am. 

Bingley. 
[Eagerly.]     Oh,  indeed,  I  should,  Miss  Bennet;  I  am 
very  much  interested  in  parrots. — Pray  show  it  to  me. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Yes,  and  the  new  hand-screen.    I  will  find  it  for  you. 
[All  three  withdraw,  leaving  Elizabeth  and  Darcy 
together.] 

Darcy. 
And  so  you  are  a  great  reader  and  take  no  pleasure  in 
anything  else? 

Elizabeth. 
Mamma  does  not  understand.     I  deserve  neither  such 
praise  nor  such  censure.     I  am  not  a  great  reader,,  and  I 
have  pleasure  in  many  things. 

Darcy. 
So  I  should  have  thought. 


36         PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:   A    PLAY 

BlNGLEY. 

[Looking  at  the  screen  which  he  holds  in  his  hand.] 
It  is  amazing  to  me  how  young  ladies  can  have  patience 
to  be  so  very  accomplished  as  they  are;  to  think  how  you 
all  paint  tables  and  cover  screens  and  net  purses.  It  is 
quite  wonderful. 

Elizabeth. 
Do  you  agree  with  your  friend,  Mr.  Darcy? 

Daroy. 
His  list  of  the  common  extent  of  accomplishments  has 
too  much  truth.    But  I  cannot  boast  of  knowing  more  than 
half  a  dozen  young  ladies  in  the  whole  range  of  my  ac- 
quaintance that  are  really  accomplished. 


Elizabeth. 
Then  you  must  comprehend  a  great  deal  in  your  idea 
of  an  accomplished  woman. 

Darcy. 
Perhaps.  To  deserve  the  word,  a  woman  must  have  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  music,  singing,  drawing,  dancing, 
and  the  modern  languages.  She  must  also  possess  a  cer- 
tain something  in  her  air  and  manner  of  walking — the 
tone  of  her  voice — her  address  and  expression,  and  to  all 
this  she  must  yet  add  something  more  substantial — [With 
a  little  bow  to  Elizabeth.]  in  the  improvement  of  her 
mind  by  extensive  reading. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY         37 

Elizabeth. 
[Laughing.']     I  am  no  longer  surprised  at  your  know- 
ing only  six  accomplished  women!     I  rather  wonder  at 
your  knowing  any. 

Harris. 
[Enters   and   announces.]     Colonel    Forster    and    Mr. 
Wickham. 

[ The  gentlemen  enter,  smiling.'] 

Wickham. 
Here  I  am  again,  Mrs.  Bennet.     I  found  that  Colonel 
Forster  had  a  message  for  the  young  ladies. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 

I  am  delighted  to  see  you.     You  are  just  in  time  to 

meet  our  new  neighbours.     [Introducing  the  gentlemen.] 

Colonel  Forster,  Mr.  Wickham — Mr.  Bingley,  Mr.  Darcy. 

[As  the  gentlemen  enter,  Mr.  Darcy  has  his  bach 

turned  to  them  in  conversation  with  Elizabeth. 

At  the  sound  of  Wickham's  voice  he  starts  and 

turns  so  that  he  faces  the  latter  just  in  time  for  the 

introduction.    At  sight  of  Darcy,  Wickham  starts 

and    is    greatly    confused.      Darcy    stiffens    and 

scarcely  nods  when  Wickham  is  introduced.    The 

whole  situation  is  so  marked  that  everyone  looks 

on  with  an  astonishment  to  which  Mrs.  Bennet 

gives  audible  expression.] 


38  PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Well,  well !    If  ever  there  was  a  proud,  stiff  man 

Jane. 
[In  a  dismayed  whisper.]     Mamma! 

Bingley. 
[Looking  distressed,  speaks  hurriedly.']     Oh,  Mrs.  Ben- 
net,  Fm  sorry  that  we  cannot  wait  for  Mr.  Bennet.    We — 
we — were  on  the  way  to  meet  my  steward — and  we  are 
already  late  for  the  appointment. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Effusively.]     I  am  very  sorry  you  must  go,  Mr.  Bing- 
ley.    But  I  hope  you  will  come  again.    We  must  engage 
you  soon  for  dinner. 

Bingley. 
[In  an  absent  and  worried  way.]     It  will  be  a  pleasure. 
[Then  with  lows,  the  party  moves  toward  the  door.] 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Bustling.]     Your  best  way  to  the  paddock  is  by  the 
terrace. 

[The  gentlemen  have  almost  reached  the  glass  doors 
when  Mr.  Collins  comes  in  excitedly,  putting  him- 
self directly  in  the  way  of  Bingley  and  Darcy.] 

Mr.  Collins. 
My  dear  Miss  Elizabeth,  I  have  this  moment  found  out 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  39 

by  a  singular  accident  that  there  is  now  in  this  room  a 
near  relation  of  my  patroness  Lady  Catherine  de  Bourg. 
Will  you  present  me? 

[He  looks  enquiringly  from  one  to  the  other  of  the 
young  men.] 

Elizabeth. 
Mr.  Bingley,  allow  me  to  present  my  cousin,  Mr.  Collins 
— Mr.  Darcy — Mr.  Collins. 

Mr.  Collins. 
[Talcing  almost  no  notice  of  Mr.  Bingley,  he  greets  Mr. 
Darcy  with  servile  effusion.]  My  dear  sir — I  trust  you 
will  pardon  me  for  not  having  paid  my  respects  before. 
My  total  ignorance  of  your  presence  here  must  plead  my 
apology.  [Looking  severely  about  him  at  the  ladies.]  I 
was  not  informed  of  it.  Is  there  any  message,  sir,  which 
I  could  take  from  you  to  my  honoured  patroness — your 
aunt,  or  to  your  fair  cousin — Miss  de  Bourg  ? 

Darcy. 
[Stiffly.]     Thank  you,  I  will  not  trouble  you  so  far. 

Mr.  Collins. 
It  would  be  no  trouble — but  an  honour  and  a  privilege. 

Darcy. 
[Disgusted,  turns  from  him  to  Bingley.]     We  are  al- 
ready very  late,  Bingley. 


40         PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

BlNGLEY. 

Yes, — we  have  no  time  to  lose. 

[Darcy  and  Bingley  give  passing  hows  and  go  out 
by  the  glass  doors.  Mr.  Collins  keeps  by  Darcy's 
side  and,  as  they  pass  out  of  sight,  is  seen  still 
talking  to  him,  to  his  evident  annoyance.  All 
the  time  that  the  party  is  bidding  good-bye  to 
Bingley  and  Darcy,  Wickham  has  been  moodily 
standing  by  the  fireplace.  Elizabeth  has  evidently 
been  concerned  about  him,  for  throughout  the  fore- 
going interview  with  Mr.  Collins,  she  has  looked 
at  Wickham  from  time  to  time.] 

Hill. 
[Enters  at  the  door  leading  to  the  hall.]     May  I  speak 
to  you,  Madam? 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Yes,  Hill,  yes.     [To  the  gentlemen.]    Excuse  me  for  a 
moment.    I   will   return    directly.     [Mrs.   Bennet   and 
Hill  go  out] 

Colonel  Forster. 
Oh,  Miss  Bennet,  Miss  Elizabeth!     Your  aunt,  Mrs. 
Phillips,  has  sent  word  by  me  that  her  card-party  is  to  be 
on  Wednesday.     She  hopes  you  will  surely  be  there. 

Elizabeth. 
[In  a  pre-occupied  way,  looking  towards  Wickham.] 
Oh,  yes,  we  shall  go. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  41 

Colonel  Forster. 
[As  he  passes  the  piano,  and  looking  at  some  music 
which  is  on  the  rack.']     Ah!     Here  is  the  song  you  have 
promised  to  sing  to  me.     Pray  sing  it  now,  Miss  Elizabeth. 

Elizabeth. 
Really,  Colonel  Forster,  yon  mnst  excuse  me  for  to-day. 
Jane  will  play  for  you,  instead. 

Jane. 
Indeed,  I  cannot,  Lizzy. 

Elizabeth. 
[Looking  meaningly  at  her.]    Please,  Jane. 

Colonel  Forster. 
Oh,  do,  I  beg — Miss  Bennet. 

[All  through  the  following  interview  between  Eliza- 
beth and  Wickham,  the  tinkle  of  the  instrument 
is  heard.  During  their  conversation  Jane's  back 
it  turned — also  Colonel  Forster's  as  he  looks  over 
her  music — so  that  Elizabeth  and  Wickham  are 
practically  alone.  Elizabeth  returns  to  her  em- 
broidery. There  is  an  awkward  pause  for  a  moment. 
Wickham  finally  breaks  it.] 

Wickham. 
How  long  has  Mr.  Darcy  been  in  Hertfordshire,  Miss 
Elizabeth? 


42  PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Elizabeth. 
Only  for  a  very  short  time,  I  believe.     He  comes  from 
Derbyshire,  I  understand,  and  has  a  very  large  property 
there. 

Wickham. 
Yes,  his  estate  is  a  noble  one.    A  clear  ten  thousand  per 

annum.    I  am  well  informed  on  this  head [Hesitates.'] 

I  have  been  connected  with  Mr.  Darcy's  family  in  a  partic- 
ular manner  since  my  infancy. 

Elizabeth. 
[Surprised.]     Indeed? 

Wickham. 
You  may  well  be  surprised,  Miss  Elizabeth,  at  this  asser- 
tion after  seeing  the  very  cold  manner  of  our  meeting  just 
now.     [After  a  pause.]     Are  you  much  acquainted  with 
Mr.  Darcy? 

Elizabeth. 
No.    Though  I  have  heard  of  him,  I  met  him  for  the 
first  time  to-day,  but  even  on  this  short  acquaintance  I 
should  take  him  to  be  an  ill-tempered  man. 

Wickham. 
[As  if  he  had  come  to  a  sudden  decision.]  Miss  Eliza- 
beth, you  have  been  a  witness  of  Mr.  Darcy's  treatment  of 
me  to-day,  and  therefore  I  feel  that  I  must,  for  my  own 
justification,  acquaint  you  with  the  facts  of  my  past  con- 
nection with  him, 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  43 

Elizabeth. 
I  shall  respect  your  confidence,  Mr.  Wickham. 

Wickham. 
I  am  sure  of  it.  [After  a  short  pause.]  Mr.  Darey  and 
I  were  born  in  the  same  parish.  My  own  father,  who,  to  be 
frank,  was  steward  of  the  Darcy  estates,  gave  up  every- 
thing to  serve  the  interests  of  the  Darcy  family.  Mr. 
Darcy's  father  was  excessively  attached  to  me : — indeed,  I 
was  his  godson.  He  meant  to  provide  for  me  amply,  and 
thought  he  had  done  so.  I  was  destined  for  the  church 
and  Mr.  Darcy's  father  left  to  me  a  most  valuable  living. 
But  the  present  Mr.  Darcy  chose  to  ignore  his  father's  will 
and  gave  the  living  to  another  man.  This  closed  for  me 
the  career  for  which  I  was  most  fitted  and  left  me  with 
almost  no  means  of  support. 

Elizabeth. 
Good  heavens !     But  how  could  that  be  ?    Why  did  not 
you  seek  legal  redress? 

Wickham. 
There  was  an  informality  in  the  terms  of  the  will  which 
gave  me  no  hope  from  the  law.     Mr.  Darcy's  father  had 
relied  implicitly  upon  the  honour  of  his  son. 

Elizabeth. 
But — this  is  quite  shocking.     Mr.  Darcy  deserves  to  be 
publicly  disgraced! 


44         PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

WlCKHAM. 

Sometime  or  other  he  will  be,  but  not  by  me.  Till  I 
can  forget  his  father,  I  can  never  defy  or  expose  him. 

Elizabeth. 
This  feeling  does  you  honour.    But  what  can  have  in- 
duced Mr.  Darcy  to  behave  so  cruelly  ? 

WlCKHAM. 

I  must  attribute  it  in  some  measure  to  his  jealousy. 
His  father's  uncommon  attachment  to  me  irritated  him, 
but  the  fact  is,  Miss  Elizabeth,  as  you  can  see,  we  are  very 
different  men,  and  he  hates  me. 

Elizabeth. 
His  disposition  must  be  dreadful. 

WlCKHAM. 

J  will  not  trust  myself  on  that  subject. 

Elizabeth. 
To  treat  in  such  a  manner  the  godson — the  friend — the 
favourite  of  his  father!     How  abominable! 

WlCKHAM. 

And  yet,  Miss  Elizabeth,  we  must  try  to  be  just  to  him. 
Mr.  Darcy  has  many  good  quaities.  He  can  be  both  liberal 
and  generous.  He  has  also  a  brother's  affection  and  pride 
which  makes  him  a  careful  guardian  of  his  sister. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A   PLAY         45 

Elizabeth. 
Oh,  he  has  a  sister? 

WlCKHAM. 

Yes.  You  will  hear  him  cried  up  as  the  most  attentive 
and  best  of  brothers.  Oh,  Mr.  Darcy  can  please  when  he 
chooses.  Among  those  who  are  his  equals  he  is  a  very 
different  man  from  what  he  is  to  the  less  prosperous. 

Elizabeth. 
Contemptible ! 

Colonel  Forster. 
[Interrupting.]     Wickham ! 

WlCKHAM. 

[Starting.']     Yes,  Colonel  Forster. 

Colonel  Forster, 
I  fear  we  must  be  going. 

WlCKHAM. 

[Hurriedly  to  Elizabeth.]  Thank  you  for  listening  to 
me.     It  is  hard  to  be  misjudged. 

Elizabeth. 
Thank  you  for  your  confidence.    It  is  well  to  know  the 
truth. 


46         PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Colonel  Forster. 
Well,  Miss  Elizabeth,  I  hope  we  shall  see  you  all  at  your 
aunt's  on  Wednesday.  Good  morning.  [To  Jane.] 
Good  morning,  Miss  Bennet.  Thank  you  for  the  music. 
Please  present  my  respects  to  Mrs.  Bennet.  I  am  sorry 
that  we  cannot  wait  longer. 

Wickham. 
[Effusively.]     Yes,  Miss  Bennet,  be  sure  to  give  your 
mother  my  best  regards.     Good  morning — [All  bow  and 
curtsy.     As  he  is   leaving   he  speaks  aside.]     Oh,   Miss 
Elizabeth,  may  I  entreat 

Elizabeth. 
You  may  depend  upon  my  sympathy. 

Wickham. 
[Looking  at  her  with  an  understanding  smile.]     I  am 
most  grateful. 

[The  gentlemen  go  out  of  the  door.  Jane  and  Eliza- 
beth go  into  the  recess  and  look  from  the  window. 
There  is  a  short  pause.] 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Enters,  flurried,  and  looks  about  her.]     Well,  have 
they  gone? 

[Mr.  Collins  enters  through  the  glass  doors  at  the 
center.    He  sees  Mrs.  Bennet.] 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  47 

Mr.  Collins. 
Oh,  Madam,  I  am  just  returned  from  attending  on 
Mr.  Darcy.  Such  a  privilege!  He  was  most  condescend- 
ing. I  was  able  to  tell  him  that  Lady  Catherine  was  very 
well  on  Saturday  sennight.  He  is  very  like  Lady  Cath- 
erine. I  am  sure  you  must  have  been  impressed  by  his 
distinguished  manners. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 

Well,  really,  Mr.  Collins ! 

[A  titter  is  heard  from  the  recess  where  the  girls  are 
seated,  and  then  Jane's  voice.] 

Jane. 

Oh,  Lizzy,  hush! 

Mr.  Collins. 
[Hearing  this,  turns  and  discovers  the  two  girls.  Then 
he  speaks  to  Mrs.  Bennet  with  lowered  voice,  as  if  an  idea 
had  just  come  to  him.]  This  meeting  is  most  opportune. 
Will  you  kindly  step  this  way  for  a  moment?  [He  draws 
Mrs.  Bennet  aside.]  May  I  hope,  Madam,  for  your  in- 
terest with  you  fair  daughter  Jane,  in  the  matter  on 
which  we  were  speaking  yesterday?  I  would  solicit  the 
honour  of  a  private  audience  with  her  this  morning. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Certainly,  Mr.  Collins.     [Hesitating.]     But  there  have 
been  some  changes  since  then.     Some  things  have  hap- 


48  PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

pened — I  think  it  is  right  you  should  know,  that — that 
Jane  is  very  likely  to  be  soon  engaged.  [Encouragingly.'] 
But  there  is  Elizabeth.  I  cannot  take  it  upon  myself  to 
say — I  cannot  possibly  answer — but  I  do  not  know  of  any 
prepossession  in  her  case,  and  I  am  sure  she  can  have  no 
objection  to  listen  to  you. 

[Mrs.  Bennet  goes  to  the  fire  and  stirs  it.] 

Mr.  Collins. 
[As  soon  as  she  has  finished.]  Then  Miss  Elizabeth 
let  it  be,  Madam.  I  was  struck  by  her  attitude  of  respect- 
ful awe  when  I  mentioned  the  Lady  Catherine  de  Bourg. 
Such  modesty  and  humility  of  mind  cannot  but  recom- 
mend her  to  my  patroness. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Looking  rather  astonished  at  this  last  speech,  but  re- 
covering   herself.]     Yes,  my    daughter    Elizabeth    knows 
what  is  proper.     She  will  be  very  happy  to  listen  to  you. 
Shall  I  call  her  now? 

Mr.  Collins. 
I  think,  Madam,  there  should  be  no  further  loss  of  time, 
as  my  leave  of  absence  extends  only  to  the  coming  Satur- 
day. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Very  well — [She  goes  to  the  recess  where  the  two  girls 
are  talking  together.]     Jane,  I  want  you  upstairs.     Lizzy, 
Mr.  Collins  has  something  he  wishes  to  say  to  you. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  49 

Elizabeth. 
[Suspicious  and  dismayed.']     Dear  ma'am,  Mr.  Collins 
must  excuse  me.     I  was  just  going  away  myself. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Now,  no  nonsense,  Lizzy !  I  desire  you  will  stay.  Mr. 
Collins  has  something  very  particular  to  say  to  you.  [As 
Elizabeth  tries  to  escape.]  Lizzy,  I  insist  upon  your  stay- 
ing and  hearing  Mr.  Collins.  Come,  Jane — [Mrs.  Ben- 
net  and  Jane  go  out.] 

Mr.  Collins. 
[Approaching  Elizabeth,  who  does  not  move  from  the 
place  where  her  mother  left  her.]  Believe  me,  my  dear 
Miss  Elizabeth,  your  modesty  so  far  from  doing  you  any 
disservice  rather  adds  to  your  other  perfections.  But  allow 
me  to  assure  you  that  I  have  your  respected  mothers' per- 
mission for  this  address.  [He  escorts  Elizabeth  with 
clumsy  gallantry  to  the  sofa,  then  brings  a  chair  and 
seats  himself  opposite  to  her.  Elizabeth  has  recovered 
herself  sufficiently  to  begin  to  enjoy  the  humour  of  the 
situation.]  My  fair  cousin,  you  must  have  at  least  sur- 
mised that  I  am  about  to  ask  you  to  become  the  companion 
of  my  life.  And  perhaps  I  had  better  begin  by  stating  my 
reasons  for  this  decision  before  I  am  run  away  with  by  my 
feelings  on  this  subject.  [Elizabeth  is  so  overcome  with 
laughter  at  this  idea  that  she  can  hardly  speak,  or  keep  a 
decent  countenance.] 


50         PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Elizabeth. 
Oh,  I  beg,  Mr.  Collins 

Mr.  Collins. 
One  moment.  My  reasons  for  marrying  are,  first, — 
that  I  think  it  a  right  thing  for  every  clergyman  to  set  the 
example  of  matrimony  to  his  parish;  second,  I  am  con- 
vinced it  will  add  very  greatly  to  my  happiness;  third,  it 
is  the  particular  advice  of  that  very  noble  lady  whom  I 
have  the  honour  of  calling  patroness. 

Elizabeth. 
[With  more  command  of  her  voice."]     Believe  me,  Mr. 
Collins 

Mr.  Collins. 
Excuse  me — one  moment.  It  remains  only  to  be  told 
why  my  views  were  directed  to  Longbourn  instead  of  to 
my  own  neighbourhood.  The  fact  is  that,  being  as  I  am  to 
inherit  this  estate  after  the  death  of  your  father  (who,  how- 
ever, may  live  many  years  longer) ,  I  could  not  satisfy  my- 
self without  resolving  to  choose  a  wife  from  among  his 
daughters,  that  the  loss  to  them  might  be  as  little  as 
possible,  when  the  melancholy  event  took  place.  This  has 
been  my  motive,  my  fair  cousin,  and  I  flatter  myself  it 
will  not  sink  me  in  your  esteem. 

Elizabeth. 
Mr.  Collins— I 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  51 

Mr.  Collins. 
[Rising  and  approaching  nearer  to  Elizabeth.]  Still 
one  moment  more !  And  now  nothing  remains  for  me  but 
to  assure  you,  in  the  most  animated  language,  of  the 
violence  of  my  affection.  To  fortune  I  am  perfectly  in- 
different, and  you  may  assure  yourself  that  no  ungenerous 
reproach  on  that  score  shall  ever  pass  my  lips  when  we  are 
married. 

Elizabeth. 
[Rising  in  her  turn.]  You  are  too  hasty,  sir!  You 
forget  that  I  have  made  no  answer.  Accept  my  thanks 
for  the  compliment  you  are  paying  me.  I  am  very  sensi- 
ble of  the  honour  of  your  proposals,  but  it  is  impossible  for 
me  to  do  otherwise  than  decline  them. 

Mr.  Collins. 
[With  another  formal  wave  of  the  hand.]  I  am  not 
unmindful  of  the  fact  that  sometimes  a  young  lady's  re- 
fusal is  repeated  a  second  or  even  a  third  time.  I  am, 
therefore,  by  no  means  discouraged  by  what  you  have  just 
said,  and  I  shall  hope  to  lead  you  to  the  altar  ere  long. 

Elizabeth. 
Upon  my  word,  sir,  your  hope  is  rather  an  extraordinary 
one  after  my  declaration !     You  must  pay  me  the  compli- 
ment of  believing  what  I  say.     I  wish  you  very  happy,  and 
very  rich,  and,  by  refusing  your  hand,  do  all  in  my  power 


52  PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

to  prevent  your  being  otherwise.     This  matter  may  be  con- 
sidered, therefore,  as  definitely  settled. 

[She  is  about  to  leave  the  room  when  Mr.  Collins 
detains  her.] 

Mr.  Collins. 
One  moment.     When  I  do  myself  the  honour  of  speak- 
ing to  yon  next  on  this  subject,  I  shall  hope  to  receive  a 
more  favourable  answer. 


Elizabeth. 
[Becoming  angry.]     Really,  Mr.  Collins,  you  puzzle  me 
exceedingly.     I  know  not  how  to  express  my  refusal  in 
such  a  way  as  may  convince  you  of  its  being  one. 

Mr.  Collins. 
You  must  give  me  leave  to  flatter  myself,  my  dear  cousin, 
that  your  refusals  of  my  address  are  merely  words,  of 
course.  I  shall  choose  to  attribute  them  to  your  wish  of 
increasing  my  love  by  suspense,  according  to  the  usual 
practice  of  elegant  females. 

Elizabeth. 
[Very  decidedly.]     Please  do  not  consider  me  now  as  an 
'elegant  female';  I  would  rather  be  paid  the  compliment 
of  being  believed   sincere.     To  accept  your   proposal   i& 
absolutely  impossible.     Can  I  speak  plainer? 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  53 

Mr.  Collins. 
[With  awkward  gallantry.']  You  are  -uniformly  charm- 
ing; but  I  am  persuaded  that  when  my  proposals  are 
sanctioned  by  both  your  parents  they  will  not  fail  of  being 
acceptable.  Meanwhile  I  may  perhaps  best  serve  my  cause 
by  leaving  you  to  consider  the  matter  by  yourself  for  a 
while. 

[He  bows  and  withdraws  to  the  door.  Elizabeth 
with  a  gesture  as  if  she  gave  the  whole  matter  up 
in  despair,  and  yet  half  amused,  goes  to  the  fireplace. 
Just  as  Mr.  Collins  reaches  the  door  Mrs.  Ben- 
net  opens  it.~\ 

Mrs.  Bennet. 

Well,  Mr.  Collins,  are  we  to  congratulate  each  other? 
[Looking  doubtfully  at  Elizabeth.]  Has  all  gone  as  you 
could  wish? 

Mr.  Collins. 

I  have  every  reason  to  be  satisfied,  Madam.  My  cousin 
has  indeed  steadily  refused  this,  my  first  offer,  and  with 
considerable  warmth,  but  this  refusal  would  naturally  flow 
from  her  bashful  modesty.  With  your  influence  behind 
me,  I  have  no  doubt  of  my  ultimate  success. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Yes,  you  may  depend  upon  me,  Mr.  Collins.     I  will 
speak  to  Lizzy  myself  directly.     She  is  a  very  headstrong, 
foolish  girl  and  does  not  know  her  own  interest.     But  I 
will  make  her  know  it. 


54  PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Mr.  Collins. 
[Alarmed.']  Pardon  me,  Madam,  but  if  she  is  really 
headstrong  and  foolish,  I  know  not  whether  she  would  al- 
together be  a  very  desirable  wife  to  a  man  in  my  situation. 
If,  therefore,  Miss  Elizabeth  persists  in  rejecting  my  suit, 
perhaps  it  were  better  not  to  force  her  into  accepting  me. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Alarmed  in  her  turn.]  Sir,  you  quite  misunderstand 
me.  Lizzy  is  only  headstrong  in  such  matters  as  these. 
In  everything  else  she  is  as  good-natured  a  girl  as  ever 
lived.  Let  me  see  her  alone  for  a  moment.  That  will  be 
the  best. 

Mr.  Collins. 
But  Madam — I 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Almost  forcing  Mr.  Collins  out  of  the  room.]  Oh,  I 
shall  very  soon  settle  it  with  her,  I  am  sure.  [Mr.  Collins 
goes  out.  Mrs.  Bennet  goes  quickly  to  Elizabeth.] 
Lizzy,  what  is  the  meaning  of  all  this  ?  Have  you  refused 
Mr.  Collins? 

Elizabeth. 
Yes,  mamma,  but  please  listen 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Angrily.]     No,  I  will  not  listen.     I  tell  you  what,  Miss 
Lizzy,  if  you  take  it  into  your  head  to  go  on  refusing  every 
offer  of  marriage  in  this  way,  you  will  never  get  a  husband 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  55 

at  all.     I  am  going  at  once  to  the  library  and  speak  to  your 
father.     You  will  listen  to  him  perhaps. 

[Mrs.  Bennet  starts  to  go  when  she  sees  Mr.  Bennet 
outside  passing  the  glass  doors.  He  is  just  return-' 
ing  from  his  walk  and  carries  a  booh  under  his 
arm.] 

>Mrs.  Bennet. 
Oh,  there  he  is  now !  [She  runs  to  the  door,  and  opens 
it.]  Oh,  Mr.  Bennet — Mr.  Bennet !  [Mr.  Bennet  turns. 
Mrs.  Bennet  runs  out,  takes  him  by  the  arm,  and  tries  to 
pull  him  into  the  room  by  main  force.  Mr.  Bennet, 
puzzled,  submits.] 

Mrs.  Bennet. 

[While  she  draws  Mr.  Bennet  into  the  room.]  Oh, 
Mr.  Bennet,  you  are  wanted  immediately.  We  are  all  in  an 
uproar.  You  must  come  and  make  Lizzy  marry  Mr.  Col- 
lins, for  she  vows  she  will  not  have  him,  and,  if  you  do 
not  make  haste,  Mr.  Collins  will  change  his  mind  and  not 
have  her. 

Mr.  Bennet. 

I  have  not  the  pleasure  of  understanding  you.  Of  what 
are  you  talking? 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Of  Mr.  Collins  and  Lizzy!     Lizzy  declares  she  will  not 
have  Mr.  Collins,  and  Mr.  Collins  begins  to  say  he  will  not 
have  Lizzy. 

Mr.  Bennet. 
Lizzy?    I  thought  it  was  Jane. 


56         PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
No — no — It's  Lizzy  now! 

Mr.  Bennet. 
Ah!    And  what  am  I  to  do  on  the  occasion?    It  seems 
a  hopeless  business. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Speak  to  Lizzy.     There  she  is.     [Pointing  to  Eliza- 
beth at  the  fireplace.]     Tell  her  that  you  insist  upon  her 
marrying  him. 

Mr.  Bennet. 

[Turning  to  Elizabeth.]  Come  here,  child.  [Eliza- 
beth goes  to  her  father.]  This  is  an  affair  of  importance. 
I  understand  that  Mr.  Collins  has  made  you  an  offer  of 
marriage.     Is  this  true? 

Elizabeth. 
Yes — papa — it — is. 

Mr.  Bennet. 
Very  well — and  this  offer  of  marriage  you  have  refused. 

Elizabeth. 
I  have,  sir. 

Mr.  Bennet. 
We  now  come  to  the  point.     Your  mother  insists  upon 
your  accepting  him.     Is  it  not  so,  Mrs.  Bennet? 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  57 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Yes,  or  I  will  never  see  her  again ! 

Mr.  Bennet. 
An  unhappy  alternative  is  before  you,  Elizabeth.    From 
this  day,  yon  must  be  a  stranger  to  one  of  your  parents. 
Your  mother  will  never  see  you  again,  if  you  do  not  marry 
Mr.  Collins ;  and  I  will  never  see  you  again  if  you  do. 


ACT   II 


ACT  II 

The  Conservatory  or  Orangery  at  Netherfield.  On  one 
side,  an  archway,  approached  by  two  or  three  steps 
and  hung  with  curtains,  separates  the  Orangery  from 
the  ball-room.  On  the  opposite  side  is  a  smaller 
archway  with  curtains,  which  are  looped  back,  giving 
a  glimpse  of  the  drawing-room  beyond.  There  is 
another  door  on  the  right.  Bingley  is  discovered  di- 
recting two  Footmen,  who  are  putting  a  bench  in 
place.    Darcy  stands  watching  him. 

BlNGLEY. 

A  little  more  to  the  right,  Martin.  That  will  do.  Push 
those  lights  farther  back — behind  the  trees.  Yes,  that  is 
better.  [Looking  about  him.]  I  think  that  is  all.  You 
may  go.  [The  men  leave  the  room.]  Well,  Darcy,  do 
you  approve  of  the  arrangements  ?  Have  you  anything  to 
suggest?    Any  criticisms? 

Darcy. 
I  have  no  criticisms  for  the  arrangements. 

BlNGLEY. 

[Laughing.]  But  you  have  for  the  ball.  Yes,  I  know 
— still  I  was  really  obliged  to  keep  my  promise. 

61 


62         PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Darcy. 
I  am  glad  to  find  that  a  promise  is  with  you  an  obliga- 
tion. 

BlNGLEY. 

Oh,  come,  Darcy!  I  understand.  Set  your  mind  at 
rest.  I  am  going  to  London  with  you,  although  1"  must 
say  I  do  not  see  the  necessity  for  it.  I  think  you  are 
exaggerating  the  effect  of  any  small  attentions  of  mine  to- 
ward Miss  Bennet.  However,  we  will  cling  together,  and 
fly  a  common  danger. 

Darcy. 
[Coldly.]     Common  danger? 

BlNGLEY. 

[Smiling.]  Yes,  common  danger!  I,  too,  have  eyes. 
Where  will  you  match  the  wit  and  vivacity  of  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Bennet? 

Darcy. 

[Quietly.]  She  is  indeed  charming,  and  I  admit  that 
were  it  not  for  the  inferiority  of  her  connections,  I  might 
be  in  some  danger.  [Very  coolly  and  confidently.]  But 
they  form,  for  me,  an  insurmountable  barrier  against  any 
possible  peril. 

BlNGLEY. 

Love  laughs  at  bars,  Darcy!  [Darcy  looks  annoyed.] 
No, — I  won't!  It  really  is  not  fair,  since  it  is  my  fault. 
You  would  never  have  been  put  to  this  test  if  you  hadn't 
been  so  good  as  to  stay  on  here  with  me  after  that 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  63 

[Stopping  suddenly,  and  with  an  entire  change  from  his 
former  bantering  tone,  he  says  in  a  hesitating  manner.'] 
Darcy,  do  you  really  think  you  should  be  silent  about 
Wickham? 

Darcy. 
[Haughtily.']     Decidedly!     I  do  not  choose  to  lay  my 
private  affairs  before  the  world. 

BlNGLEY. 

But  the  fellow  is  sailing  under  false  colours.  You  do 
not  know  what  the  result  may  be.  I  really  must  speak  of 
this  again,  Darcy,  even  at  the  risk  of  offending  you. 
[Darcy  makes  an  impatient  gesture.]  I  am  truly  con- 
cerned at  the  foothold  this  rascal  has  already  gained  in  the 
Bennet  family.  What  he  has  failed  to  accomplish'  once 
he  may  succeed  in  again.  These  young  ladies  have  no 
brother  to  defend  them. 

Darcy. 
Neither  have  they  the  wealth  to  excite  Wickham's  cupid- 
ity.    At  any  rate  I  do  not  wish  to  be  the  one  to  enlighten 
the  neighbourhood.    Besides,  I  understand  that  he  has  left 
Meryton. 

BlNGLEY. 

Even  so — I [He  is  interrupted  by  Miss  Bingley, 

who  enters  gaily  from  the  drawing-room.] 

Miss  Bingley. 
Ah!     Here  you  are!     [To  Darcy.]     Will  you  be  so 


64         PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

kind  ?  [She  holds  out  her  arm  for  him  to  clasp  her  brace- 
let] Your  sister  Georgiana  should  be  here,  Mr.  Darcy. 
[To  her  brother.]  Charles,  you  should  have  insisted  on 
her  coming. 

Bingley. 
I  am  not  in  the  habit  of  insisting  with  Darcy. 

Miss  Bingley. 
[Laughingly."]  Very  true.  [To  Darcy,  who  has  at 
length  succeeded  in  fastening  the  bracelet.]  Thank  you. 
[Looking  about  her.]  It  is  vastly  pretty,  Charles,  but  I 
am  much  mistaken  if  there  are  not  some  among  us  to 
whom  a  ball  will  be  rather  a  punishment  than  a  pleasure. 

Bingley. 
[Laughing.]     If  you  mean  Darcy,  he  may  go  to  bed,  if 
he  pleases,  before  it  begins. 

Miss  Bingley. 
But,  Charles,  it  would  certainly  be  more  rational  if  con- 
versation instead  of  dancing  were  made  the  order  of  the 
day. 

Bingley. 
Much  more  rational,  my  dear  Caroline,  but  it  would  not 
be  near  so  much  like  a  ball. 

Martin,  the  Footman. 
[Entering,  to  Bingley.]     Several  of  the  carriages  have 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  65 

arrived,  sir,  and  the  guests  will  soon  be  entering  the  ball- 
room. 

BlNGLEY. 

[To  the  Footman.]     Very  well.     [To  Miss  Bingley.] 
Come  Caroline,  we  must  be  at  our  post.     We  will  leave 
Darcy  to  make  up  his  mind  whether  he  will  join  us  later. 
[Bingley  and  his  sister  disappear  through  the  arch- 
way  leading  to  the  ball-room.    Darcy  does  not  fol- 
low them,  but  walks  thoughtfully  up  and  down  the 
room.    The  sound  of  a  voice  is  heard  announcing.] 

The  Voice. 

Mrs.  Long — the  Miss  Longs.    [A  pause.]    Colonel  Fors- 

ter  and  Mr.  Denny.     [A  pause.]     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Goulding. 

[A   pause.]     Mrs.   Bennet — the  Miss   Bennets.     [Darcy 

stops  in  his  walk  and  goes  toward  the  ball-room  archway — 

then  he  walks  once  more  up  and  down.]     Mrs.  King — Miss 

King.     [Darcy  again  moves  toward  the   ball-room;  he 

lifts  the   curtain,   hesitates — looks  in — then   disappears.] 

Sir  William  and  Lady  Lucas — Miss  Lucas — Mr.  Robinson. 

[The  music  now  begins,  the  stage  is  left  empty.    After 

a  short  pause,  Elizabeth  and  Charlotte  appear 

between  the  curtains  of  the  ball-room  archway.] 

Charlotte. 
[Peeps  in — then  enters.]     Isn't  this  pretty!     Come  in 
here  for  a  moment,  Eliza.     I  want  to  tell  you  something. 


66  PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Elizabeth. 
[Following  her.]     Why  did  I  promise  to  dance  with 
Mr.  Darcy  just  now!    Why  did  not  I  have  more  presence 
of  mind! 

[They  sit  on  the  bench  together  while  they  talk;  the 
guests,  at  the  back,  pass  to  and  from  the  drawing- 
room  and  ball-room,  and  the  sound  of  music  is 
heard  faintly. ~\ 

Charlotte. 
I  dare  say  yon  will  find  him  very  agreeable. 

Elizabeth. 
Heaven  forbid !     That  wonld  be  the  greatest  misfortune 
of  all.    To  find  a  man  agreeable  whom  one  is  determined 
to  hate !    Do  not  wish  me  such  an  evil. 

Charlotte. 
I  wouldn't  be  a  simpleton,  Eliza.     You  are  angry  be- 
cause Wickham  is  not  here,  but  I  wouldn't  allow  my  fancy 
for  him  to  make  me  unpleasant  in  the  eyes  of  a  man  of  ten 
times  his  consequence. 

Elizabeth. 
My  fancy  for  Wickham,  as  you  choose  to  call  it,  is  simply 
my  sympathy  for  a  most  ill-used  man:  also  the  relief  of 
meeting  with  good  manners  and  a  good  understanding 
after  the  insufferable  pride  of  Mr.  Darcy,  and  the  stupid 
pomposity  of  that   dreadful  Mr.    Collins!     [Charlotte 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY         67 

starts.]  Oh,  my  dear  Charlotte,  I  have  never  thanked  you 
half  enough  for  helping  us  to  endure  that  man.  It  was 
so  good-natured  in  you  to  sacrifice  yourself  by  listening  to 
those  interminable  speeches  of  his. — I  am  more  obliged 
to  you  than  I  can  express.  But  oh,  what  a  relief  it  is  to 
know  that  he  is  really  gone ! 

Charlotte. 
[Who  has  listened  to  all  this  tirade  in  increasing  em- 
barrassment']    Oh,  don't!     Don't,  Eliza!     You  are  mak- 
ing it  so  terribly  hard  for  me.    But, — but  I  must  tell  you. 
— I  am  engaged  to  Mr.  Collins ! 

[Elizabeth  is  stupefied  with  surprise  and  loolcs  at 
Charlotte  for  a  moment  in  silent  and  incredulous 
amazement.     Then  with  difficulty  she  spealcs.] 

Elizabeth. 
Engaged !     Engaged  to — to  Mr.  Collins !     Oh,  my  dear 
Charlotte — impossible!     [Hopefully.]     You  are  joking! 

Charlotte. 
[With  spirit.]  No,  indeed,  Eliza,  I  am  in  most  serious 
earnest.  Why  should  you  be  so  surprised?  Do  you  think 
it  incredible  that  Mr.  Collins  should  be  able  to  procure  any 
woman's  good  opinion,  because  he  was  not  so  happy'  as  to 
succeed  with  you? 

Elizabeth. 
[Confused.]     Oh,  no — no — of  course  not.     And, — and 


68  PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

you  must  forgive  all  I  have  just  said.     I  couldn't  possibly 
have  imagined 

Charlotte. 
[More    sweetly.']     No,    Eliza,    indeed   you    could   not. 
[She  puts  her  hand  on  Elizabeth's  shoulder.]     And  we 
shall  be  friends  still  ? 

Elizabeth. 
Why,  of  course,  of  course,  dear  Charlotte.     It  was  only 
the — the  surprise.     You  know  how  fond  I  am  of  you. 
You  know  I  wish  you  all  imaginable  happiness. 

Charlotte. 

Yes,  I  am  sure  of  it.  You  must  be  surprised — very 
much  surprised,  so  lately  as  Mr.  Collins  was  wishing  to 
marry  you.  But,  dear  Eliza,  when  you  have  had  time  to 
think  it  all  over,  I  hope  you  will  be  satisfied  with  what  I 
have  done.  I  am  not  romantic.  I  ask  only  a  comfort- 
able home,  and,  considering  Mr.  Collins'  situation  in  lifef 
I  am  convinced  that  my  chance  of  happiness  with  him  is 
as  fair  as  most  people  can  boast  on  entering  the  marriage 
state. 

Elizabeth. 

[In  an  absent  manner.]     Undoubtedly. 

Charlotte. 
[Looking   at   Elizabeth   affectionately   and   wistfully.] 
And  you  will  come  to  visit  me  sometimes?    I  could  not 
bear  to  lose  you,  Eliza ! 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY         69 

Elizabeth. 
[Looking  up,  and  patting  Charlotte's  'hand.']     Surely, 
Charlotte!     [Smiling.]     We  are  to  be  cousins,  you  know. 

Charlotte. 
[Cheerfully.']     Why,  so  we  are! 
[Colonel  Forster  comes  from  the  ball-room.    Lydia 
and  Denny  enter  from  the  drawing-room.] 

Colonel  Forster. 
[Hurriedly  going  to  Charlotte.]     I  am  to  have  the 
honour  of  this  reel,  I  believe,  Miss  Lucas. 

Charlotte. 
Oh  yes,  Colonel  Forster. 

[She  goes  out  with  Forster,  leaving  Elizabeth  alone, 
still  seated.  Lydia  and  Denny  approach  Eliza- 
beth.] 

Lydia. 
I  think  we  are  being  treated  abominably  ill,  Lizzy!     It 
seems  that  Mr.  Wickham  has  gone  off  on  business  some- 
where, so  he  will  not  be  here  at  all.     [Lydia  looks  off  to- 
ward the  ball-room.] 

Denny. 
[Aside  to  Elizabeth  significantly.]     I  do  not  imagine 
his  business  would  have  called  him  away  just  now  if  he 
had  not  wished  to  avoid  a  certain  gentleman. 

Lydia. 
[Suddenly."]    Why,  Mr.  Denny — I  do  believe  the  reel  is 


70         PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

half  over — I  dearly  love  a  reel !     We  shall  miss  it,  alto- 
gether.    Come!     [She  drags  Denny  off.'] 

Elizabeth. 
[Alone.']     Well!     Well!     The  world  is  surely  upside 
down.    Charlotte  and — Collins !  What  a  match ! 

Daroy. 

[Approaching  from  the  ball-room.]  Do  not  you  feel  a 
great  inclination,  Miss  Bennet,  to  seize  such  an  opportun- 
ity of  dancing  a  reel? 

[Elizabeth  makes  no  answer.] 

Do  not  you  enjoy  the  reel,  Miss  Bennet  ? 

Elizabeth. 
[Looking  up.]  Oh,  I  heard  you  before,  but  I  could  not 
immediately  determine  what  to  say  in  reply.  You  wanted 
me,  I  know,  to  say — "Yes,"  that  you  might  have  the 
pleasure  of  despising  my  taste;  but  I  always  delight  in 
overthrowing  that  kind  of  scheme.  I  have  therefore  made 
up  my  mind  to  tell  you  that  I  do  not  want  to  dance  a 
reel  at  all;  and  now  despise  me,  if  you  dare ! 

Darcy. 
[Smiling.]     I  do  not  dare. 

[Miss  Bingley  enters  from  the  ball-room  with  an 
officer.    They  talk  together.] 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY         7i 

Colonel  Forster. 
[Entering  from  the  ball-room,  and  looking  about  Mm, 
sees  Elizabeth  and  comes  to  her.~\     May  I  have  the  hon- 
our, Miss  Bennet? 

Elizabeth. 
I  do  not  dance  the  reel,  Colonel  Forster. 

Colonel  Forster. 
Oh,  the  reel  is  over.     This  is  our  dance. 

Elizabeth. 
Oh! 

[She  goes  off  with  Colonel  Forster.  Darcy  remains 
where  Elizabeth  leaves  him  and  watches  her  till 
she  disappears  into  the  ball-room.  The  officer  bows 
and  leaves  Miss  Bingley.] 

Miss  Bingley. 
[Approaching  Darcy.]     I  can  guess  the  subject  of  your 
reverie. 

Daroy. 
I  should  imagine  not. 

Miss  Bingley. 
You  are  considering  how  insufferable  it  would  be  to  pass 
many  evenings  in  such  society.     Indeed,  I  am  quite  of 
your  opinion.     I  was  never  more  annoyed.     The  insipidity 


72         PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

and  yet  the  noise; — the  nothingness  and  yet  the  self-im- 
portance of  all  these  people !  What  would  I  give  to  hear 
your  strictures  on  them ! 

Darcy. 
Your  conjecture  is  totally  wrong.     I  assure  you,  my 
mind  was  more  agreeably  engaged.     I  was  meditating  on 
the  very  great  pleasure  which  a  pair  of  fine  eyes  in  the  face 
of  a  pretty  woman  can  bestow. 

Miss  Bingley. 
[Looking  at  him  very  meaningly  and  sweetly,  speaks  with 
coquetry. ,]     Indeed !    And  will  not  you  tell  me  what  lady 
has  the  credit  of  inspiring  such  reflections  ? 

Darcy. 
[With  great  intrepidity.']    Miss  Elizabeth  Bennet. 

Miss  Bingley. 
[Taken  aback.']     Miss  Elizabeth  Bennet!     I  am  all  as- 
tonishment!    How  long  has  she  been  such  a  favourite? 
Pray  when  am  I  to  wish  you  joy  ? 

Darcy. 
That  is  exactly  the  question  which  I  expected  you  to 
ask.    A  lady's  imagination  is  very  rapid:  it  jumps  from 
admiration  to  love,  from  love  to  matrimony  in  a  moment. 
I  knew  you  would  be  wishing  me  joy. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY         73 

Miss  Bingley. 
Nay,  if  you  are  so  serious  about  it  I  shall  consider  the 
matter  as  absolutely  settled.  You  will  have  a  charming 
mother-in-law !  Of  course  she  will  always  be  at  Pemberley 
with  you.  Perhaps  you  might  give  her  a  few  hints  as  to 
the  advantage  of  holding  her  tongue. 

Darcy. 
Thank  you.     Have  you  anything  else  to  propose  for  my 
domestic  felicity? 

Miss  Bingley. 
Oh,  yes !  Let  the  portrait  of  your  uncle,  the  attorney, 
be  placed  next  to  your  great  uncle,  the  Judge.  They  are 
in  the  same  profession,  you  know,  only  in  different  lines. 
As  for  your  Elizabeth's  picture,  you  must  not  attempt  to 
have  it  taken,  for  what  painter  could  do  justice  to  those 
beautiful  eyes! 

Darcy. 
It  would  not  be  easy,  indeed,  to  catch  their  expression; 
but  their  colour  and  shape,  and  the  eyelashes,  so  remark- 
ably fine,  might  be  copied. 

Miss  Bingley. 

[Sarcastically.']      Oh,    I    fear    not — [Elizabeth    and 

Colonel  Forster,  with  others,  enter  from  the  ball-room — 

Mrs.  Bennet  with  Lady  Lucas  from  the  drawing-room.] 

Here  comes  the  fair  one — [Seeing  Mrs.  Bennet.] — and 


74  PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

mamma-in-law  as  well.     I  will  not  intrude  on  the  family 

party. 

[She  goes  off  laughing  and  mingles  with  the  guests. 
Colonel  Forster  bows  and  leaves  Elizabeth  with 
her  mother.  Bingley  enters  with  Jane  from  the 
drawing-room.  He  sees  Darcy,  who  is  standing 
where  Miss  Bingley  left  him,  and  comes  to  him. 

Bingley. 
I  thought  this  next  dance  was  the  one  you  liked  so  much, 
Darcy.     Let  me  find  you  a  partner. 

Darcy. 
[Starting,  as  if  from  a  reverie.]    So  it  is.    Thank  you — 
I  have  a  partner. 

[He  goes  to  Elizabeth,  bows,  and  they  go  into  the 
ball-room  together.  Mrs.  Bennet  and  Mrs.  Long 
follow  them.] 

Bingley. 
[Looking  after  Darcy  with  a  smile,  turns  to  Jane.] 
You  must  be  tired,  Miss  Bennet.     I  propose  that  we  sit 
quietly  through  this  dance.    Do  you  agree? 

Jane. 
Yes,  indeed.     [She  sits  on  the  bench.]     It  will  be  very 
pleasant.     [Looking  about  her.]     How  very  prettily  you 
have  arranged  all  the  rooms,  Mr.  Bingley. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY         75 

BiNGLEY. 

I  am  so  glad  you  think  so.  I  feared  they  were  rather 
inconvenient  for  so  large  a  party. 

Jane. 
Oh,  I  find  them  delightful ! 

BiNGLEY. 

You  are  always  charitable,  Miss  Bennet.  It  seems  to 
me  you  always  manage  to  see  the  best  side  of  everything. 
I  never  knew  you  to  say  an  ill  word  about  a  person  or  a 
place. 

Jane. 
[Smiling.']     Oh,  I  fear  that  is  not  quite  exact.    I  only 
try  to  see  things  in  their  best  light,  perhaps. 

BiNGLEY. 

That  is  just  it.  The  rest  of  us  rarely  try  to  see  things 
in  that  way.  So  you  see  I  have  proved  my  case.  You  are 
too  amiable. 

Jane. 
Not  for  to-night,  Mr.  Bingley.     Everybody  is  of  one 
mind  to-night.     There  is  but  one  point  of  view — you  are 
giving  nothing  but  pleasure. 

Bingley. 
[Soberly.]    I  wish  it  were  so — but [With  impulsive 


76         PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

earnestness.']     Dear  Miss  Bennet,  I  wish  to  tell  you — I 

must  tell  you 

[He  is  interrupted  by  the  people  coming  in  again 
from  the  dance.  Darcy  and  Elizabeth  enter 
with  Sir  William  Lucas  and  others.  BingleY 
and  Jane  rise  from  their  seats  and  walk  sloivly  to- 
ward the  back  of  the  room.  Darcy  escorts  Eliza- 
beth to  a  seat  and  stands  by  her.  They  are  both 
silent  for  a  moment.'] 

Elizabeth. 
It  is  your  turn  to  say  something  now,  Mr.  Darcy.     I 
talked  about  the  dance,  and  you  ought  to  make  some  kind  of 
remark  on  the  size  of  the  rooms,  or  the  number  of  couples. 

Darcy. 
[Smiling.]     I  assure  you  I  will  say  whatever  you  wish. 

Elizabeth. 
Very  well,  that  reply  will  do  for  the  present.     Perhaps 
by  and  by  I  may  observe  that  private  balls  are  much 
pleasanter  than  public  ones. 

Darcy. 
Do  you  talk  by  rule  then  ? 

Elizabeth. 
Sometimes.     One  must  speak  a  little,  you  know, — and 
yet  for  the  advantage  of  some,  conversation  ought  to  be 
so  arranged  that  they  may  have  the  trouble  of  saying 
as  little  as  possible. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY         77 

Darcy. 
Are  you  consulting  your  own  feelings  in  the  present  case, 
or  do  you  imagine  that  you  are  gratifying  mine? 

Elizabeth. 
[Archly.]  Both,  for  I  have  always  seen  a  great  similar- 
ity in  the  turn  of  our  minds;  we  are  each  of  an  unsocial, 
taciturn  disposition,  unwilling  to  speak,  unless  we  expect 
to  say  something  that  will  amaze  the  whole  room  and  be 
handed  down  to  posterity  with  all  the  eclat  of  a  proverb. 

Darcy. 
This  is  no  very  striking  resemblance  of  your  own  char- 
acter, I  am  sure.     How  near  it  may  be  to  mine,  I  cannot 
pretend  to  say.     You  think  it  a  faithful  portrait,   un- 
doubtedly. 

Elizabeth. 
I  shall  not  decide  on  my  own  performance.  [There  is  a 
short  silence;  then,  as  if  with  an  effort,  Elizabeth  speaks.'] 
I  am  surprised  not  to  see  Mr.  Wickham  here  to-night.  I 
find  that  he  is  a  great  favourite  with  the  officers.  He  has 
made  many  friends  among  them. 

Darcy. 

[With  great  hauteur.]  Mr.  Wickham  is  blessed  with 
such  happy  manners  as  may  insure  his  making  friends; 
whether  he  may  be  equally  capable  of  retaining  them  is  less 
certain. 


78  PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Elizabeth. 
[Excitedly.']     He  has  been  so  unlucky  as  to  lose  your 
friendship,  and  in  a  manner  which  he  is  likelv  to  suffer 
from  all  his  life. 

[They  are  both  silent.] 

Sir  William  Lucas. 
[Coming  up  to  them  all  urbanity  and  smiles.]     What  a 
charming  amusement  for  young  people  this  dancing  is,  Mr. 
Darcy!     I  consider  it  as  one  of  the  first  refinements  of 
polished  societies. 

Darcy. 

Certainly,  sir,  and  it  has  the  advantage  also  of  being  in 
vogue  amongst  the  less  polished  societies  of  the  world: 
every  savage  can  dance. 

Sir  William. 
[Smiling.]     Do  you  often  dance  at  St.  James  ? 

Darcy. 
Never,  sir. 

Sir  William. 
You  have  a  house  in  town,  I  conclude. 
[Mr.  Darcy  bows,  but  does  not  speak.] 

Sir  William. 
I  had  once  some  thoughts  of  fixing  in  town  myself :  but 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  79 

I  did  not  feel  quite  certain  that  the  air  of  London  would 
agree  with  Lady  Lucas. 

[Mr.  Darcy  bows  in  silence  again — Elizabeth  is 
amused.] 

Sir  William. 
But  I  must  not  further  interrupt  you,  sir !  I  only  wish 
to  tell  you  once  more  how  highly  gratified  I  have  been  by 
your  superior  dancing;  allow  me  also  to  say  that  your  fair 
partner  does  not  disgrace  you.  It  is  a  great  pleasure  to  see 
you  together.  I  must  hope  to — to  have  this  pleasure  often 
repeated,  especially  when  a  certain  desirable  event,  my  dear 
Miss  Eliza,  [Glancing  at  Bingley  and  Jane,  who  are  talk- 
ing earnestly  together  at  the  bach  of  the  scene.]  shall  take 
place.  What  congratulations  will  then  flow  in :  but  let  me 
not  interrupt  you — you  will  not  thank  me,  Mr.  Darcy,  for 
detaining  you  from  the  bewitching  converse  of  that  young 
lady,  whose  bright  eyes  are  also  upbraiding  me ! 

Darcy. 
[Murmurs  to  himself.]  So!  [Looking  earnestly  at 
Bingley.  and  Jane,  he  seems  much  impressed  by  what 
Sir  William  has  said.  Elizabeth  notices  this.  'Recov- 
ering himself,  Darcy  turns  to  her  again.]  Sir  William's 
interruption  has  made  me  forget  what  we  were  talking  of. 

Elizabeth. 
I  do  not  think  we  were  speaking  at  all.     Sir  William 
could  not  have  interrupted  any  two  people  who  had  less  to 


80         PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

say  for  themselves.  We  have  tried  two  or  three  subjects  al- 
ready without  success,  and  what  we  are  to  talk  of  next,  I 
cannot  imagine. 

Daeoy. 
[Smiling.']     What  think  you  of  books  ? 

Elizabeth. 
Books  ?    Oh  no :    I  am  sure  we  never  read  the  same,  or 
not  with  the  same  feelings. 

Daroy. 
I  am  sorry  you  think  so,  but  if  that  be  the  case,  there  can 
at  least  be  no  want  of  subject.    We  may  compare  our  dif- 
ferent opinions  of  them. 

Elizabeth. 
No,  I  cannot  talk  of  books  at  a  ball — my  head  is  always 
full  of  something  else. 

Darcy. 
The  present  always  occupies  you  in  such  scenes,  does  it  ? 

Elizabeth. 
[In  an  absent  manner.]  Yes,  always.  [Suddenly.]  I 
remember  hearing  you  once  say,  Mr.  Darcy,  that  you  hardly 
ever  forgave;  that  your  resentment  once  created  was  un- 
appeasable. You  are  very  cautious,  I  suppose,  as  to  its  be- 
ing created? 

Daroy. 
[Firmly.]     I  am. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  81 

Elizabeth. 
And  never  allow  yourself  to  be  blinded  by  prejudice? 

Daeoy. 
I  hope  not. 

Elizabeth. 
It  is  particularly  incumbent  on  those  who  never  change 
their  opinion,  to  be  secure  of  judging  properly  at  first. 

Darcy. 
May  I  ask  to  what  these  questions  lead  ? 

Elizabeth. 
Merely  to  the  illustration  of  your  character.     I  am  try- 
ing to  make  it  out. 

Darcy. 

And  what  is  your  success? 

Elizabeth. 
[Shaking  her  head.~]     I  do  not  get  on  at  all.     I  hear 
such  different  accounts  of  you  as  puzzle  me  exceedingly. 

Darcy. 
[Gravely."]  I  can  readily  believe  that  reports  may  vary 
greatly  with  respect  to  me ;  and  I  could  wish,  Miss  Bennet, 
that  you  were  not  to  sketch  my  character  at  the  present 
moment,  as  there  is  reason  to  fear  that  the  performance 
would  reflect  no  credit  on  either. 


82  PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Elizabeth. 
But  if  I  do  not  take  your  likeness  now  I  may  never  have 
another  opportunity. 

Darcy. 
[Very  stiffly.']     I  would  by  no  means  suspend  any  pleas- 
ure of  yours. 

[Miss    Bingley    enters    from    the    ball-room.    She 
comes  directly  to  Darcy  and  Elizabeth.] 

Miss  Bingley. 
Oh,  Mr.  Darcy — would  you  be  so  good  as  to  go  to 
Charles?  He  wishes  very  much  to  consult  with  you  about 
some  of  the  table  arrangements.  You  will  find  him  in  the 
dining-parlour.  [With  exaggerated  politeness  to  Eliza- 
beth.]   That  is,  if  Miss  Bennet  will  permit  you. 

Elizabeth. 
[Carelessly.']  Oh,  certainly. 
[Darcy  bows  and  goes  out.] 

Miss  Bingley. 
[To  Elizabeth,  after  a  moment's  silence.]  So,  Miss 
Bennet,  I  hear  that  you  are  quite  delighted  with  George 
Wickham.  He  must  have  told  you  all  a  pretty  tale.  As 
to  Mr.  Darcy's  using  him  ill,  it  is  perfectly  false.  I  do 
not  know  the  particulars,  but  I  do  know  that  George  Wick- 
ham has  treated  Mr.  Darcy  in  a  most  infamous  manner. 
His  coming  into  the  county  at  all  is  a  most  insolent  thing. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  83 

I  feel  very  strongly  on  this  point,  Miss  Bennet,  as  Mr. 
Darcy's  interests  are  so  intimately  associated  with  our 
own.  [She  watches  Elizabeth.]  We  hope  Miss  Georgi- 
ana  Darcy  may  some  day  be  my  sister.  My  brother  ad- 
mires her  greatly. 

Elizabeth. 
[With  indifference.']     Ah! 

Miss  Bingley. 
Yes,  and  therefore  we  resent  these  falsehoods  and  this 
presumption  on  the  part  of  George  Wickham.  But,  really, 
considering  his  descent,  we  could  not  expect  much  better. 
He  has  evidently  forgotten  to  tell  you  that  he  is  the  son 
of  old  Wickham,  steward  to  the  late  Mr.  Darcy. 

Elizabeth. 
[Angrily.']     His  guilt  and  his  descent  appear  by  your 
account  to  be  the  same.     I  have  heard  you  accuse  him 
of  nothing  worse  than  of  being  the  son  of  Mr.  Darcy's  stew- 
ard, and  of  that,  I  can  assure  you,  he  informed  me  himself. 

Miss  Bingley. 
[With  a  sneer.]     Oh!  I  beg  your  pardon.    Excuse  my 
interference;  it  was  kindly  meant. 
[She  goes  out.] 

Elizabeth. 
Insolent  girl!     You  are  much  mistaken  if  you  expect 


84         PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

to  influence  me  by  such  a  paltry  attack  at  this.  I  see 
nothing  in  it  but  your  own  wilful  ignorance  and  the  malice 
of  Mr.  Darcy. 

[Footmen  now  come  in  with  small  tables,  which  they 

place  about   the  stage.     Bingley   comes  in  and 

directs  them.    Darcy  follows  him.] 

Bingley. 
[To  Elizabeth,  Jane,  his  sister,  and  others  who  have 
entered.']    I  thought  it  would  be  pleasant  to  have  some  of 
the  tables  here.     [To  Jane.]     We  must  have  places  to- 
gether. 

[With  some  bustle,  all  seat  themselves.  At  the  table 
on  one  side  are  seated  Darcy,  Elizabeth,  Bing- 
ley and  Jane:  A  little  behind  them  are  Miss 
Bingley  with  Colonel  Forster,  Charlotte 
Lucas  with  an  officer.  At  the  table  on  the  opposite 
side  is  Mrs.  Bennet  with  Sir  William  and  Lady 
Lucas.  Behind  them  are  more  tables  at  which  other 
guests  are  seated.] 

Lydia. 
[Entering  with  Denny,  much  excited,  goes  to  Mrs. 
Bennet.]  Mamma,  have  you  heard  the  news  ?  Mr.  Denny 
has  just  told  me  that  the  regiment  is  to  leave  Meryton,  and 
go  to  Brighton !  Good  heavens !  What  is  to  become  of  us, 
mamma? 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Sympathetically.']     Are  they  really  going?     Well,  my 
love,  it  is  too  bad!     I  know  how  you  feel.     I  am  sure  I 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  85 

cried  for  two  days  together  when  Colonel  Millar's  regi- 
ment went  away,  five-and-twenty  years  ago.  I  thought  I 
should  have  broken  my  heart. 

Lydia. 
I  am  sure  I  shall  break  mine.     [Coaxingly.]     Mamma, 
might  we  not  all  go  to  Brighton? 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Oh,  if  we  only  could !    But  I  fear  your  father  will  not 
hear  of  it. 

Lydia. 
Oh,  papa  is  so  disagreeable!     I  am  sure  a  little  sea- 
bathing would  set  me  up  forever !    Wouldn't  it,  Mr.  Denny  ? 

Denny. 

Surely,  Miss  Lydia.     Oh,  you  must  manage  it  in  some 
way. 

[They  move  off  and  take  their  places  at  one  of  the 
tables.] 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Looking  after  them.']  Well,  Lady  Lucas,  it  is  hard 
for  a  lively  young  girl  like  my  Lydia  to  be  cooped  up  in 
a  place  where  there  is  so  little  going  on.  However,  [Look- 
ing at  Bingley  and  Jane.]  we  are  not  likely  to  have  it 
so  very  dull  in  the  future.  [In  a  loud  whisper  to  Lady 
Lucas.]  You  know  what  I  mean — [Nudging  her  and 
laughing.]     Jane  and  Bingley! 


86  PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Lady  Lucas. 
Ah!    Indeed! 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[With  importance  and  in  a  still  louder  tone.]  Oh,  yes! 
It's  quite  settled.  Such  a  charming  young  man — and 
Netherfield  only  three  miles  from  Longbourn !  And  Jane's 
marrying  will  be  a  fine  thing  for  my  other  girls.  They 
will  be  sure  to  meet  other  rich  men  who  will  fall  in  love 
with  them. 

Elizabeth. 
[Who   has  heard  the   beginning   of  this   conversation, 
makes  a  pretext  to  go  to  arrange  her  mother's  scarf  and  says 
in  low  tones.']     Oh,  mamma!     Be  careful,  I  beg.     Mr. 
Darcy  can  hear  you ! 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
What  is  Mr.  Darcy  to  me,  pray,  that  I  should  be  afraid 
of  him  ?    I  am  sure  we  owe  him  no  such  particular  civility 
as  to  be  obliged  to  say  nothing  he  may  not  like  to  hear ! 

Elizabeth. 
[In  distress.]    For  heaven's  sake,  Madam,  speak  lower ! 
What  advantage  can  it  be  to  you  to  offend  Mr.  Darcy? 
You  will  never  recommend  yourself  to  his  friend  by  so 
doing. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
That  is  enough,  Lizzy !    I  think  I  can  take  care  of  my- 
self.    I  never  knew  before  that  it  was  a  crime  to  speak 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  87 

to  one's  friends  about  what  everybody  can  see  plainly 
enough,  who  has  eyes  in  his  head.  [Turning  to  Sir  Wil- 
liam.]    Did  you,  Sir  William? 

Sir  William. 
[Smiling.']     Our  friends  usually  have  very  sharp  eyes 
for  what  is  going  on,  Mrs.  Bennet!     [Significantly.]     I 
have,  indeed,  sometimes  expected  that  you  would  observe 
what  has  been  going  on  in  our  own  household  of  late. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Sharply.]     Going  on?  What  has  been  going  on,  Sir 
William? 

Sir  William. 
[With  an  important  air.]     It  is  only  this,  Mrs.  Bennet, 
that  Lady  Lucas  and  myself  have  to  ask  your  congratula- 
tions on  our  very  great  satisfaction  in  the  recent  engage- 
ment of  our  daughter,  Charlotte. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Charlotte !    Engaged !    Why,  who  in  the  world  is  going 
to  marry  her? 

[Sir  William  draws  himself  up  with  offended  dig- 
nity; Lady  Lucas  bridles.] 

Sir  William. 
The  gentleman  whom  my  daughter  has  honoured  with 
her  hand  is  your  husband's  cousin — Mr.  Collins ! 


88  PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Rising  in  rage  and  amazement.']     Mr.  Collins !     Marry 
your  Charlotte?     Good  Lord,  Sir  William,  how  can  you 
tell  such  a  story!     Do  not  you  know  that  Mr.  Collins  is 
going  to  marry  my  Lizzy — or — or  one  of  my  other  girls ! 

Lady  Lucas. 
Well,  really,  Mrs.  Bennet ! 

Sir  William. 

[Offended.]  What  I  have  told  you  is  quite  true,  never- 
theless, Mrs.  Bennet.  The  whole  matter  was  settled  before 
Mr.  Collins  returned  to  Hunsford.  I  am  sorry  we  are  not 
to  receive  your  good  wishes. 

Elizabeth. 
[Hastily.]     Oh,  but  you  are,  Sir  William!     Charlotte 
has  already  told  me  all  about  her  engagement,  and  we  shall 
be  most  happy  to  welcome  her  as  a  cousin. 

Sir  William. 
[Mollified   and    with    gallantry.]      Thank    you,    Miss 
Elizabeth!     I  am  sure  other  congratulations  will  shortly 
be  in  order. 

[He  glances  significantly  at  Darcy;  Elizabeth  draws 
herself  up.  Sir  William,  smiling,  makes  a  little 
bow  and  then  turns  to  the  table,  where  he  and  Lady 
Lucas  busy  themselves  with  their  supper.] 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  89 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[To  Elizabeth.]     So  Charlotte  has  told  you,  has  she? 
I  don't  believe  a  word  of  it ! 

Elizabeth. 
Oh,  mamma! 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
I  am  sure  Mr.  Collins  has  been  taken  in.    Well,  I  trust 
they  will  never  be  happy  together,  and  I  hope  the  match 
will  be  broken  off. 

Elizabeth. 
[Imploringly.]     Mamma ! 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Turning  on  Elizabeth  in  a  rage.~\     And  you  are  the 
cause  of  the  whole  mischief,  Lizzy!    I  think  I  have  been 
barbarously  used  by  you  all! 

[While  this  conversation  has  been  going  on,  the  other 
guests  have  been  taking  their  supper.  Colonel 
Forster  now  rises  with  a  glass  of  wine  in  his  hand.'] 

Colonel  Forster. 
Ladies    and    gentlemen —    [The    buzz    of   conversation 
ceases.]     Ladies  and  gentlemen,  I  should  like  to  propose 
the  health  of  Mr.  Bingley. 

All. 
Mr.  Bingley! 


90  PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Colonel  Forster. 
[Raising  Ms  glass.]     To  Mr.  Bingley — may  the  pleas- 
ure which  he  has  given  us  all  to-night  be  but  a  foretaste 
of  the  future  happiness  which  he  will  both  receive  and  give 
in  this  community. 

All. 
Mr.  Bingley — Colonel  Forster! — Mr.  Bingley! 
[All  drink  as  Bingley  bows.] 

Sir  William. 
[Rising.]  And  may  I  be  allowed  to  still  farther  ex- 
press the  sentiments  of  this  community,  by  proposing  an- 
other toast  in  which  I  am  sure  you  will  all  join  me  with 
enthusiasm?  [Raising  his  glass.]  To  the  Master  of 
Netherfield !  May  he  retain  that  title  from  his  present 
fortunate  youth,  to  his  future  green  and  honoured  old  age ! 

All. 
[Drinking.]     Mr.  Bingley!     Sir  William!     Mr.  Bing- 
ley! 

Bingley. 
[Rising.']     Ladies  and  gentlemen!     Friends! 

All. 
Hear !     Hear ! 

Bingley. 
I — I  really  cannot  tell  you  how  much  I  am  touched  by 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY  91 

the  very  kind  words  of  Colonel  Forster  and  Sir  William! 
And — and  I  only  wish  that  I  deserved  them. 

All. 
Indeed,  you  do ! 

BiNGLEY. 

[Embarrassed  and  looking  toward  Darcy,  who  with 
folded  arms,  is  staring  at  the  ceiling.']  No,  I  do  not.  I — 
I  did  not  like  to  speak  of  such  a  painful  thing  on  an 
occasion  like  this,  and  so  I  have  told  no  one  of  the  fact 
that  I  am  about  to — to  leave  Netherfield. 

All. 
Leave  Netherfield !    Oh !    Oh ! 

BlNGLEY. 

[Still  more  ill  at  ease.]  Yes. — It  is  a  very  sudden  de- 
cision, but — but  important  interests  have  made  it  necessary 
for  me  to — [Lamely.]  to  leave  Netherfield. 

Sir  William. 
But  only  for  a  time,  Mr.  Bingley !    Let  us  hope  it  will 
only  be  a — a  temporary  separation. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Why,  surely,  Mr.  Bingley,  you  will  be  back  again  very 
soon. 


92         PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

BiNGLEY. 

[In  a  dogged  manner.']  No — no.  I  am  afraid  my  re- 
turning at  all  is  extremely  uncertain.  In  fact,  I — I  ex- 
pect to  leave  Netherfield  permanently. 

[Great  consternation.  Jane  looks  down.  Elizabeth 
loohs  at  Daeoy.  Miss  Bingley  has  a  triumphant 
smile.'] 

Colonel  Forster. 
[Incredulously.]    Oh,  my  dear  Mr.  Bingley! 

Sir  William. 
[Solemnly.]     This  is,  indeed,  a  calamity. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[To    Elizabeth. [      Good    Lord,    Lizzy,    poor    Jane! 
What 

Elizabeth. 
Oh,  hush,  mamma ! 

Bingley. 
[Looks  again  at  Darcy,  who  remains  perfectly  calm 
through  all  this  commotion.  This  time  the  sight  of  him 
seems  to  make  Bingley  somewhat  angry,  and  he  pulls 
himself  together  and  speaks  in  a  firmer  tone  and  in  a  more 
cheerful  manner.]  But,  my  friends,  nobody  knows  what 
may  happen.  We  shall  undoubtedly  all  meet  again  some- 
time, and  meanwhile,  you  must  not  let  what  I  have  said 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY         93 

spoil  your  pleasure.  [The  music  is  now  heard  again  in  the 
hall-room.']  There  is  the  music.  We  must  have  another 
danee  together. 

[There  is  a  general  movement  among   the  guests. 

Those  at  the  bach  of  the  room  begin  to  go  into  the 

ball-room.'] 

BiNGLEY. 

[To  Jane,  Colonel  Forster,  and  others  near  him.] 
Let  us  make  up  a  set  here;  I  think  there  will  be  room. 

Colonel  Forster. 
Capital  idea! 

[The  Footmen  remove  the  tables.] 

Miss  Bingley. 
Oh,  yes,  capital!     [With  meaning,  to  Darcy.]     Do  not 
you  think  so,  Mr.  Darcy? 

[Darby  bows  stiffly,  without  speaking.] 

Colonel  Forster. 
Miss  Bingley,  may  I  have  the  pleasure  ? 

[She  bows,  looks  daggers  at  Darcy,  and  takes  her 
place  in  the  dance.] 

Bingley. 
[To  Jane.]    Miss  Bennet,  will  you  grant  me  the  happi- 
ness?    [Darcy  gives  him  a  look  which  Elizabeth  sees.] 
The — the  final  happiness  of  my  stay  at  ISTetherfield. 


94         PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Jane. 
[Curtsies,  a  tremor  in  her  voice.]     Thank  you. 

[They  begin  to  form  a  set  with  Miss  Bingley  and 
Colonel  Forster,  Lydia  and  Denny.] 

Daroy. 
[Crossing  to  Elizabeth.]    May  I  have  the  honour,  Miss 
Elizabeth? 

Elizabeth. 
[Looking  at  him  with  frank  hauteur.']     Thank  you,  Mr. 
Darcy,  I  am  indisposed. 

[Darcy  lows,  reddens,  and  crosses  to  the  other  side 
of  the  room.  The  music  begins.  Amid  embarrassed 
astonishment,  Sir  William  and  Charlotte  Lucas 
fill  the  quadrille  set.  As  the  dance  commences, 
Elizabeth  and  Darcy,  standing  at  either  side  of 
the  dancers,  exchange  a  glance  of  the  keenest  pridt 
and  prejudice.] 


ACT    III 


ACT   III. 

The  parlour  of  Mr.  Collinses  parsonage  at  Hunsford. 
At  the  bach  of  the  room  is  an  open  door.  This  door 
leads  directly  into  the  garden,  beyond  which  is  seen, 
through  an  opening  in  the  trees  of  the  park  opposite, 
<(the  prospect  of  Rosings" — the  residence  of  Lady 
Catherine  de  Bourg — "a  handsome,  modern  build- 
ing on  rising  ground/'  A  wide  cottage  window,  also 
at  the  back  of  the  room,  gives  a  plain  view  of  the 
passers-by.  On  either  side  of  the  parlour  is  a  door, 
leading  to  other  parts  of  the  house.  Elizabeth  is 
discovered  standing  at  the  open  door  and  looking  up 
at  some  one  outside  who  is  evidently  climbing  the 
trellis. 

A  Voice  {outside.) 
Is  this  the  cluster  you  wish,  Miss  Bennet? 

Elizabeth. 
[Mischievously.']     No,  Colonel  Fitzwilliam.     Those  are 
buds;  the  ones  higher  still.     There — by  the  eaves. 

[Elizabeth  laughingly  watches  Colonel  Fitzwil- 
liam until  he  appears  with  a  cluster  of  half  opened 
roses,  which  he  presents  to  her  with  a  gallant  air.] 

97 


98  PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Elizabeth. 
[Talcing  the  roses  and  putting  them  in  her  girdle.] 
Thank  you. 

Colonel  Fitzwilliam. 
May  not  I  have  one,  as  my  reward,  Miss  Bennet? 

Elizabeth. 
Is  not  accomplishment  its  own  reward? 

Colonel  Fitzwilliam. 
And  is  not  the  power  to  be  generous  the  highest  reward 
that  can  be  given  to  any  accomplishment  ? 

Elizabeth. 
Oh,  surely !  And  so  you  would  have  to  be  generous  and 
get  me  some  more  roses:  then  we  should  each  of  us  have 
to  invent  new  speeches,  and  so  we  should  never  be  done 
till  we  were  ready  to  print  a  phrase  book.  However,  you 
have  certainly  won  your  rose.     [She  gives  it  to  him.'] 

Colonel  Fitzwilliam. 
Thank  you!  That  phrase-book  is  a  capital  idea,  Miss 
Bennet.  Nothing  could  please  me  better  than  just  such 
an  occupation.  It  would  really  be  a  charity,  for  Darcy  is 
such  a  dull  fellow  these  days  that  I  really  don't  know  what 
to  do  with  myself. 

Elizabeth. 
But  we  should  hardly  have  the  time  for  such  a  project. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY         99 

You  say  that  you  and  Mr.  Darcy  are  to  leave  Lady  Cath- 
erine on  Saturday. 

Colonel  Fitzwilliam. 
Yes,  if  Darcy  doesn't  put  it  off  again.    He  has  already 
paid  our  aunt  a  much  longer  visit  than  ever  before.     I  am 
at  his  disposal,  you  know.     He  arranges  the  business  just 
as  he  pleases. 

Elizabeth. 
I  do  not  know  anybody  who  seems  more  to  enjoy  the 
power  of  doing  what  he  pleases  than  Mr.  Darcy. 

Colonel  Fitzwilliam. 
He  likes  to  have  his  own  way  very  well,  but  so  do  we  all. 
It  is  only  that  he  has  better  means  of  having  it  than  many 
others.  [Looking  at  his  watch.]  I  suppose  I  ought  to  go 
and  look  for  him  now.  I  expected  to  find  him  here,  [With 
a  meaning  smile.']  as  not  unfrequently  happens.  But 
since  he  is  not,  he  probably  expects  me  to  meet  him  at  the 
Crossroads. 

Elizabeth. 
I  imagine  your  cousin  brought  you  down  with  him 
chiefly  for  the  sake  of  having  somebody  at  his  disposal. 
I  wonder  he  does  not  marry  to  secure  a  lasting  convenience 
of  that  kind.  But  perhaps  his  sister  does  as  well  for  the 
present, — and,  as  she  is  under  his  sole  care,  he  may  do 
what  he  likes  with  her. 


100        PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Colonel  Fitzwilliam. 

No — that  is  an  advantage  which  he  must  share  with  me. 
I  am  joined  with  him  in  the  guardianship  of  Miss  Darcy. 

Elizabeth. 
Are  you,  indeed?  And  pray  what  sort  of  a  guardian 
do  you  make?  Does  your  charge  give  you  much  trouble? 
Young  ladies  of  her  age  are  sometimes  a  little  difficult 
to  manage.  And,  if  she  has  the  true  Darcy  spirit,  she 
may  like  to  have  her  own  way. 

[Colonel  Fitzwilliam  looks  at  Elizabeth  very  sus- 
piciously as  she  makes  this  last  remark.'] 

Colonel  Fitzwilliam. 
Why — what? — Why  do  you  suppose  Miss  Darcy  is  likely 
to  give  us  any  uneasiness,  Miss  Bennet? 

Elizabeth. 
[Carelessly.']  Oh,  nothing  at  all!  You  need  not  be 
frightened!  I  never  heard  any  harm  of  her;  she  is  a 
great  favourite  with  a  lady  of  my  acquaintance — Miss 
Bingley.  I  think  I  have  heard  you  say  that  you  knew  Miss 
Bingley. 

Colonel  Fitzwilliam. 
I  know  her  a  little.     Her  brother  is  a  pleasant,  gentle- 
manlike man.    He  is  a  great  friend  of  Darcy's. 

Elizabeth. 
Oh,  yes.     Mr.  Darcy  is  uncommonly  kind  to  Mr.  Bingley 
and  takes  a  prodigious  deal  of  care  of  him. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        101 

Colonel  Fitzwilliam. 
Care  of  him?  Yes,  I  really  believe  Darcy  does  take 
care  of  him.  From  something  he  has  told  me,  I  have  rea- 
son to  think  Bingley  very  much  indebted  to  him.  [Stop- 
ping.] But  I  ought  to  beg  his  pardon,  for  I  have  no  right 
to  suppose  that  Bingley  was  the  person  meant. 

Elizabeth. 
[Curiously,  and  with  ill-concealed  anxiety."]    What  is  it 
you  mean  ? 

Colonel  Fitzwilliam. 
It  is  a  circumstance  which,  of  course,  Darcy  could  not 
wish  to  be  generally  known,  because  if  it  were  to  get  round 
to  the  lady's  family  it  would  be  an  unpleasant  thing. 

Elizabeth. 
You  may  depend  upon  my  not  mentioning  it. 

Colonel  Fitzwilliam. 
And,  remember,  that  I  haven't  much  reason  for  sup- 
posing it  to  be  Bingley.  What  he  told  me  was  merely  this : 
that  he  congratulated  himself  on  having  lately  saved  a 
friend  from  the  inconveniences  of  a  most  imprudent  mar- 
riage, but  without  names  or  any  other  particulars,  and  I 
only  suspected  it  to  be  Bingley  from  believing  him  to  be 
the  kind  of  young  man  to  get  into  a  scrape  of  that  sort. 

Elizabeth. 
[Trying  to  suppress  her  feeling.]     Did  Mr.  Darcy  give 
you  his  reasons  for  this  interference? 


102        PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Colonel  Fitzwilliam. 
I  understood  that  there  were  some  very  strong  objections 
against  the  lady. 

Elizabeth. 
Indeed !    [Trying  to  speak  calmly.']    And  what  arts  did 
he  use  to  separate  them  ? 

Colonel  Fitzwilliam. 
[Smiling.']    He  did  not  talk  to  me  of  his  own  arts.    He 
only  told  me,  what  I  have  now  told  you. 

Elizabeth. 
Why  was  your  cousin  to  be  the  judge? 

Colonel  Fitzwilliam. 
You  are  rather  disposed  to  call  his  interference  offi- 
cious ? 

Elizabeth. 
[Growing  excited.]  I  do  not  see  what  right  Mr.  Darcy 
had  to  decide  on  the  propriety  of  his  friend's  inclination; 
why,  upon  his  own  judgment  alone,  Mr.  Darcy  was  to  de- 
termine in  what  manner  his  friend  was  to  be  happy.  [Re- 
covering herself.]  But  as  we  know  none  of  the  particulars, 
it  is  not  fair  to  condemn  him.  It  is  not  to  be  supposed 
that  there  was  much  affection  in  the  case. 

Colonel  Fitzwilliam. 
That  is  not  an  unnatural  surmise,  and  I  believe  Darcy 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        103 

told  me  that  he  did  not  think  that  the  lady,  at  least,  was 
very  deeply  concerned  in  the  matter.  However,  to  lessen 
the  affection  on  either  side  is  to  lessen  the  honour  of  my 
cousin's  triumph  very  sadly. 

Elizabeth. 

Your  cousin's  triumph 

[Greatly  excited,  she  is  about  to  continue,  when  Char- 
lotte's voice  is  heard  outside.] 

Charlotte. 
Yes,  Mr.  Darcy,  I  think  I  saw  Colonel  Fitzwilliam  go  up 
the  garden  path  a  few  moments  ago.     [Protesting .]     Oh, 
no,  Mr.  Darcy,  you  are  too  kind !     Really 

Darcy. 
[Outside.]     Pray,  allow  me. 
[Charlotte  enters,  accompanied  by  Darcy,  who  is 
carrying  a  baslcet  of  eggs.    She  wears  a  garden  hat 
and  gloves.] 

Charlotte. 
Ah,  here  he  is.     Good  morning,  Colonel  Fitzwilliam. 
[To  Darcy.]    Pray  let  me  have  the  basket  now,  Mr.  Darcy. 
[Darcy  gives  Charlotte  the  baslcet,  and  then  turns  to 
Elizabeth.] 

Darcy. 
Good    morning,    Miss    Bennet.      [Elizabeth    returns 
Darcy's  greeting  with  a  self-consciousness  which  does  not 


104       PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

escape  his  notice,  but  the  motive  of  which  he  mistakes. 
Darcy  gives  a  quick  glance  from  Elizabeth  to  Colonel 
Fitzwilliam,  as  he  turns  to  speak  to  the  latter.]  Ah, 
Fitzwilliam,  I  thought  I  might  find  you  here. 

Colonel  Fitzwilliam. 
[Lightly.']     Yes,  I  have  been  so  fortunate  as  to  secure 
some  of  Mrs.  Collins's  early  roses  for  Miss  Bennet. 

Charlotte. 
[In  surprise.]    Really !    Have  they  already  opened  ? 

Elizabeth. 
[Who  has  by  this  time  recovered  her  self-possession.] 
A  very  few  of  them.    But  Colonel  Fitzwilliam  was  obliged 
to  climb  very  near  to  the  sun  to  get  me  these.    [She  looks 
admiringly  upon  the  flowers  as  she  speaks.] 

Colonel  Fitzwilliam. 
[Showing  the  rose  which  Elizabeth  has  given  him.] 
And  you  see  I  have  my  reward. 

Darcy. 
[Smiling  faintly.]    Colonel  Fitzwilliam  might  not  have 
won  his  prize  so  easily,  Miss  Bennet,  had  there  been  others 
in  the  field. 

Elizabeth. 
Ah,  no,  Mr.  Darcy,  I  cannot  lessen  Colonel  Fitzwilliam's 
achievement  by  admitting  any  such  possibility. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        105 

Colonel  Fitzwilliam. 
[Gallantly.]     Thank  you,  Miss  Bennet! 
[Darcy   turns  away   with  an  unconscious   look   of 
chagrin. ,] 

Charlotte. 
Well,  surely,  my  roses  will  have  to  bloom  their  prettiest 
this  season  in  return  for  all  the  attention  they  have  re- 
ceived.    [To  the  young  men.']     Will  not  you  be  seated, 
gentlemen  ? 

Darcy. 
[Tartly.]     Thanks,  no,  Mrs.  Collins;  I  merely  stopped 
for  Colonel  Fitzwilliam;  but  perhaps  his  rose-gathering 
has  caused  him  to  abandon  our  project  of  taking  a  walk 
together  this  morning. 

Colonel  Fitzwilliam. 
By  no  means,  Darcy,  that  pleasure  has  only  been  de- 
ferred. 

Darcy. 
Very  good  then.     We  will  go  at  once,  if  Mrs.  Collins 
and  Miss  Bennet  will  pardon  me  this  hasty  call. 

Charlotte. 
Certainly,  Mr.  Darcy!  [Elizabeth  also,  absent-mind- 
edly, murmurs  her  assent,  for  which  Darcy  lingers  with 
vague  uneasiness  before  departing  with  Fitzwilliam. 
Charlotte  looks  at  Elizabeth  curiously,  then  calls  to  the 
little  maid,  who  enters.] 


106       PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Charlotte. 
Martha — take  these  eggs  to  the  pantry.     Do  not  dis- 
turb them. 

Martha. 
Very  well,  ma'am. 

[She  curtsies  and  goes  out.] 

Charlotte. 
[Talcing  off  her  hat  and  gloves.}    Now,  Eliza,  we  must 
get  to  our  work  and  have  a  comfortable  chat.     You  have 
been  here  nearly  two  weeks  and  we  really  haven't  had  a 
good  talk  yet. 

Elizabeth. 
[Getting  out  her  embroidery.']    Yes,  you  promised  me  a 
quiet  visit,  Charlotte.    But  I  find  you  are  more  lively  here 
than  we  are  at  Longbourn. 

[The  two  ladies  sit  at  the  table  with  their  embroidery.'] 

Charlotte. 
But  how  could  I  have  anticipated  the  arrival  here  of  two 
very  attentive  young  gentlemen?  [Smiling  at  Eliza- 
beth.] It  is  really  quite  a  surprising  coincidence,  or  else 
Mr.  Darcy  has  timed  his  visit  to  his  aunt  very  cleverly. 
As  to  these  daily  visits  to  the  parsonage — you  may  be  sure 
I  do  not  take  to  myself  the  credit  of  them.  Neither  of 
these  young  gentlemen  would  ever  come  so  often  to  see 
me.    I  have  to  thank  you,  Eliza,  for  this  civility. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        107 

Elizabeth. 
[With  a  little  temper.']     You  may  thank  a  lack  of  oc- 
cupation on  their  part.     You  know  very  well  my  opinion 
of  Mr.  Darcy! 

Charlotte. 
Yes.    You  have  often  expressed  it.    I  wish  I  were  as  well 
informed  of  Mr.  Darcy's  opinion  of  Eliza. 

Elizabeth. 
When  you  know  the  one,  you  know  the  other.    They  are 
identical. 

Charlotte. 
AVell,  perhaps  under  the  circumstances,  that  is  the  most 
satisfactory  condition  of  things.     And  do  we  hold  the 
same  opinion  of  Colonel  Fitzwilliam? 

Elizabeth. 
[Tossing  her  head.]     Oh,  Colonel  Fitzwilliam! 

Charlotte. 
[Looking   at   Elizabeth   sharply,   and  after  a   short 
silence.]    And  so  Jane  is  once  more  at  home  after  her  visit 
in  London,  and  Lydia  has  gone  to  Brighton  after  all. 
How  did  she  ever  manage  to  persuade  your  father? 

Elizabeth. 
Oh,  Lydia  was  so  determined  upon  it  that  she  and 
mamma  gave  my  father  no  peace  till  they  had  teased  him 
to  consent.     But  I  am  very  sorry.     Lydia  is  too  foolish, 


108       PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

too  ignorant  and  wilful  to  be  trusted  away  from  home. 
I  only  hope  that  no  harm  will  come  of  it. 

Charlotte. 
And  is  Mr.  Wickham  still  with  the  regiment? 

Elizabeth. 
Yes,  he  went  with  it  to  Brighton. 

Charlotte. 
I  hear  that  he  is  thinking  of  marrying  Miss  King,  since 
she  has  just  received  a  legacy  of  ten  thousand  pounds. 
I  should  be  sorry  to  think  that  our  friend  was  mercenary. 

Elizabeth. 
A  man  in  distressed  circumstances  has  not  time  for  all 
those  elegant  decorums  which  other  people  may  observe. 
If  Miss  King  does  not  object  to  it,  why  should  we  ? 

Charlotte. 
Her  not  objecting  does  not  justify — him. 

Elizabeth. 
{Emphatically. ~\  Well,  have  it  as  you  choose.  He  shall 
he  mercenary,  and  she  shall  be  foolish !  Mr.  Wickham's 
worst  fault,  after  all,  is  his  power  of  being  agreeable. 
Thank  heaven,  we  both  of  us  know  some  men  who  haven't 
one  agreeable  quality.  Stupid  men  are  the  only  ones  worth 
knowing ! 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:   A   PLAY       109 

Charlotte. 
[Smiling.']     Well,  well,  Eliza!     That  speech  savours  a 
little  of — disappointment. 

Elizabeth. 
Oh,  yes — anything  yon  please ! 

Charlotte. 
[Changing  the  subject.]    And  yon  say  that  Jane  is  not 
in  her  nsnal  spirits? 

Elizabeth. 
[Shortly.]    Yes. 

Charlotte. 
And  she  is  looking  poorly? 

Elizabeth. 
[Still  more  shortly.]    Yes — very! 

Charlotte. 
Did  she  see  much  of  the  Bingleys  in  London? 

Elizabeth. 
[Bursting  out  hotly.]     She  saw  nothing  of  them.    Oh, 
Charlotte,  I  have  just  had  all  my  suspicions  verified,, 

Charlotte. 
Your  suspicions? 

Elizabeth. 
Yes,  there  has  been  an  arrangement  in  all  this.     Mr. 


110       PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Bingley  has   been   kept   away   from  Jane  by [Stops 

suddenly.] 

Charlotte. 
[Looks  up  curiously,  then  speaks  quickly.]  Don't  im- 
agine any  such  nonsense,  Eliza.  A  young  man  like  Mr. 
Bingley  so  easily  falls  in  love  with  a  pretty  girl  for  a  few 
weeks — and,  when  accident  separates  them,  so  easily  for- 
gets her,  that  this  sort  of  inconstancy  is  very  frequent. 

Elizabeth. 
We  do  not  suffer  from  accident,  Charlotte.     A  young 
man  of  independent  fortune  does  not  suddenly  decide  of 
his  own  free  will  to  think  no  more  of  a  girl  with  whom  he 
was  violently  in  love. 

Charlotte. 
But  were  they  so  violently  in  love  ? 

Elizabeth. 
Yes— I  never  saw  a  more  promising  inclination.    Why, 
Mr.  Bingley  would  talk  to  no  one  else — would  look  at  no 
one  else.    Is  not  general  incivility  the  very  essence  of  love  ? 

Charlotte. 

[Smiling.']    It  is  usually  a  good  test.    But  if  Jane  did 

not  return  his  affection —  It  really  did  not  seem  to  me 

that  there  was  anything  violent  in  Jane's  attitude.    I  could 

never  see  that  she  showed  any  extreme  affection  for  Bingley. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        111 

Elizabeth. 
[Hotly.]  Well,  I  know  that  Jane  was  very  much  in  love 
with  him,  and  that  she  showed  her  affection  as  much  as 
her  nature  would  allow.  If  Bingley  didn't  see  it  he  must 
have  been  a  simpleton.  No — the  real  trouble  was  that 
Jane  didn't  see  him  often  enough,  perhaps,  to  make  her 
understand  his  character. 

Charlotte. 
Oh,  if  Jane  were  married  to  Bingley  to-morrow,  I  should 
think  she  had  as  good  a  chance  of  happiness  as  if  she  were 
studying  him  for  a  twelve-month.  It  is  far  better  to 
know  as  little  as  possible  of  the  person  with  whom  you 
are  to  pass  your  life. 

Elizabeth. 
[Demurely.']    In  some  cases  that  is  undoubtedly  true. 

Mr.  Collins. 
[Appears  at  the  garden  door.  He  wears  a  wide-brimmed 
hat  and  carries  a  hoe — also  a  large  basket.  He  looks  in.] 
Ah!  A  very  charming  domestic  picture!  [Talcing  a 
bunch  of  radishes  from  the  basket,  he  speaks  to  Char- 
lotte.] My  dear,  I  have  found  some  fine  early  radishes. 
I  thought  it  would  be  a  graceful  attention  on  your  part 
to  send  some  of  these  to  Miss  de  Bourg.  [He  sits  uqon 
the  chair  near  the  doorway.] 

Charlotte. 
I  fear  the  apothecary  might  object. 


112       PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Mr.  Collins. 
True — they  might  not  be  suitable,  but  [Looking  at  them 
proudly.']  they  are  very  fine  radishes.  [To  Elizabeth.] 
Miss  Elizabeth,  I  am  very  successful  in  my  gardening.  I 
consider  the  work  I  do  in  my  garden  to  be  one  of  my  most 
respectable  pleasures.  Lady  Catherine  is  always  ready  to 
encourage  me  in  it,  and  my  dear  Charlotte  is  ever  willing 
that  I  should  leave  her  side  for  the  sake  of  this  healthful 
exercise.  [Looking  at  the  radishes  again.]  It  is,  indeed, 
a  pity  that  Miss  de  Bourg  is  not  well  enough  to  enjoy  them. 
My  dear  Charlotte  has  doubtless  told  you,  Miss  Elizabeth, 
of  the  alliance  which  is  in  prospect  between  Miss  de 
Bourg  and  Mr.  Darcy.  This  extreme  delicacy  of  constitu- 
tion would  seem  to  be  the  only  bar  to  their  happiness. 

Elizabeth. 
Yes,  Charlotte  has  told  me  that  Miss  de  Bourg  is  sickly. 
She  will  make  Mr.  Darcy  a  very  proper  wife. 

[Charlotte  looks  anxiously  at  Mr.  Collins  as  Eliz- 
abeth says  this,  but  he  is  gazing  out  of  the  door 
and  does  not  seem  to  notice  the  remark.] 

Mr.  Collins. 
I  hope  you  are  pleased  with  Kent,  Miss  Elizabeth. 

Elizabeth. 
Very  much,  Mr.  Collins. 

Mr.  Collins. 
I  do  not  think  the  kingdom  can  boast  a  grander  scene 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        113 

than  the  one  now  spread  before  our  eyes:  [Pointing.'] 
This  garden — that  park  with  Rosings  in  the  distance.  Do 
not  you  think  my  dear  Charlotte  is  most  fortunately 
placed,  Miss  Elizabeth? 

Elizabeth. 
Most  fortunately,  Mr.  Collins. 

Mr.  Collins. 
And  when  you  have  seen  Lady  Catherine,  you  will  be 
more  deeply  impressed,  I  am  sure.  We  can  hardly  expect 
her  to  call  upon  you.  This  illness  of  Miss  de  Bourg  would 
prevent  it,  and  in  any  case  it  would  be  an  act  of  extreme 
condescension  on  her  part;  but  I  am  quite  confident  that 
you  will  receive  an  invitation  to  drink  tea  of  a  Sunday 
evening  with  her,  after  Mr.  Darcy  and  his  cousin  are  gone, 
of  course.  And — we  may  later  have  an  invitation  to 
dinner — although  I  would  not  for  the  world  arouse  in  you 
false  hopes  which  may  be  shattered. 

Martha. 
[Enters  in  great  excitement.]     Oh,  Mrs.  Collins !   Lady 
Catherine's  carriage  is  turning  into  the  lane  and  she  is 
in  it! 

Mr.  Collins. 
[Rising  in  great  excitement.]     Lady  Catherine — at  this 
hour!     What  amazing  condescension!      [He  turns  in  a 
helpless  manner  to  Charlotte.]    But,  my  dear,  I  am  quite 


114        PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

unprepared.    My  habiliments — I  would  not  be  wanting  in 
respect. — What  shall  I  do? 

Charlotte. 
[Hurriedly  putting  up  her  worh  and  giving  her  hat  and 
gloves  to  the  maid.]     Go  make  yourself  ready,  Mr.  Collins. 
We  will  do  the  same.     [Charlotte  pushes  Mr.  Collins 
gently  toward  the  door.] 


Mr.  Collins. 
[Protesting.']      Yes — yes!      But    this    implement- 
[He  holds  out  the  hoe.] 


Charlotte. 
Give  it  to  Martha ! 

[Mr.  Collins  hastily  gives  the  hoe  to  the  maid  and 
then  goes  out.  He  instantly  returns,  however,  and 
again  appeals  in  distressed  tones  to  his  wife.] 

Mr.  Collins. 
[Holding   out   the   basket.]     And   these   radishes,   my 
dear? 

Charlotte. 
Martha,  take  the  radishes  from  Mr.  Collins. 

Martha. 
Yes,  ma'am. 

[The  maid  tries  to  hold  at  once — basket,  hoe,  hat,  and 
gloves,  as  she  stands  in  a  corner,  open-mouthed.] 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        115 

Mr.  Collins. 
[Again  emerging  from  the  door.]     Do  not  make  your- 
self uneasy  about  your  own  apparel,  Miss  Elizabeth;  Lady 
Catherine  is  far  from  requiring  that  elegance  in  us  which 
becomes  herself  and  daughter — I 

Charlotte. 
[Impatiently.]     Oh,  do  go,  Mr.  Collins!     Lady  Cath- 
erine will  be  here  in  an  instant ! 

[She  shuts  the  door  on  Mr.  Collins.] 

Elizabeth. 

[Greatly  amused  at  all  this  excitement.]  Are  you  going 
to  make  any  change  in  your  dress,  Charlotte?  Do  you 
wish  me  to  do  so? 

Charlotte. 
Well,  Eliza,  if  you  wouldn't  mind,  I  should  like  you  to 
put  on  your  sprigged  muslin.  In  spite  of  what  Mr. 
Collins  says,  I  know  it  would  please  him.  I  have  no  time 
to  change.  Is  my  cap  straight?  Oh,  here  she  is.  [To 
the  maid,  who  stands  staring,  with  her  arms  full.]  Why, 
Martha!  Are  you  still  there?  Go!  Go!  [She  bustles 
the  maid  out  of  one  door,  then  runs  to  the  other,  calling 
her  husband.]    Mr.  Collins !    Mr.  Collins ! 

[She  then  rushes  into  the  garden,  followed  immedi- 
ately by  Mr.  Collins  in  the  same  state  of  excite- 
ment.  Elizabeth,  as  she  looks  after  them,  is  con- 
vulsed with  laughter.] 


116        PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Elizabeth. 
So,  at  last — her  high  and  only  mightiness!     No  tre- 
mors, Elizabeth!     Now  is  the  time  for  all  your  courage. 
[She  runs  laughing  out  of  the  room.'] 

[Sounds  of  voices  are  heard,  and  Lady  Catherine 
appears  escorted  up  the  path  by  Charlotte  and 
Collins.] 

Lady  Catherine. 
[As  she  reaches  the  door.]  You  keep  too  many  hens, 
Mrs.  Collins.  There  is  just  a  certain  number  which  are 
profitable — beyond  that  there  is  waste.  [Lady  Catherine 
sits  on  the  sofa.]  A  clergyman's  wife  should  set  an 
example  of  thrift.    You  should  have  asked  my  advice. 

Mr.  Collins. 
Mrs.  Collins  will  in  the  future  regulate  her  poultry-yard 
according  to  your  directions,  Lady  Catherine,  if  you  will 
be  so  condescending  as  to  give  them. 

Charlotte. 
Yes,  thank  you,  Lady  Catherine. 

Mr.  Collins. 
Will  your  Ladyship  not  take  some  refreshment  ? 

Charlotte. 
Oh,  yes — let  me  fetch  you  a  cup  of  tea? 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        117 

Lady  Catherine. 
No,  no — I   wish  nothing.     [To   Mr.    Collins.]     But 
yon  may  go,  Mr.  Collins,  and  see  if  Jones  is  walking  the 
horses  up  and  down.     I  do  not  trust  Jones. 

Mr.  Collins. 
With  great  pleasure,  your  Ladyship.    [Mr.  Collins  goes 
out.] 

Lady  Catherine. 
[To  Charlotte.]     I  thought  you  had  a  visitor,  Mrs. 
Collins. 

Charlotte. 
Yes,  your  Ladyship — I  have.    It  is  my  friend,  Miss 
Elizabeth  Bennet.     She  is  a  cousin  of  Mr.  Collins  and  a 
neighbour  of  ours  in  Hertfordshire. 

Lady  Catherine. 
I  have  heard  about  her.     Fitzwilliam  says  she  is  a  very 
genteel,  pretty  kind  of  girl. 

Charlotte. 
[Pleased.']     Indeed  she  is,  Lady  Catherine. 

Lady  Catherine. 
Well,  where  is  she? 

Charlotte. 
She  has  gone  to  make  a  little  change  in  her  dress,  before 
presenting  herself  to  your  Ladyship. 


118       PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Lady  Catherine. 
Oh !  very  proper — very  proper ! 

Charlotte. 
I  am  delighted  to  hear  that  Miss  de  Bourg  is  better. 
Lady  Catherine. 

Lady  Catherine. 
Yes,  thank  you.     She  is  very  greatly  improved.     [After 
a  slight  pause,  with  impatience.]     Well,  Miss  Bennet  takes 
her  time ! 

Charlotte. 
[Anxiously.']     I  am  sure  she  will  be  here  in  a  moment. 
[Elizabeth     enters.]     Oh,    here    she    is.     [Presenting 
Elizabeth.]     Lady    Catherine,    Miss   Elizabeth   Bennet. 
[Elizabeth  curtsies.] 

Lady  Catherine. 
[Without  leaving  her  seat,  loolcs  Elizabeth  over  from 
head  to  foot.]     Oh,  how  do  you  do,  Miss  Bennet.     You 
are  younger  than  I  thought ! 

Elizabeth. 
[Smiling.]     Indeed  ? 

Lady  Catherine. 
You  know  my  nephew,  Mr.  Darcy? 

Elizabeth. 
Yes,  I  met  him  in  Hertfordshire. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        119 

Lady  Catherine. 
Humph!     And  you  know  Colonel  Fitzwilliam ? 

Elizabeth. 
I  have  only  met  Colonel  Fitzwilliam  since  coming  here. 

Lady  Catherine. 
Humph!     Has  your  governess  left  you? 

Elizabeth. 
[Half  laughs.]     My  sisters  and  I  have  never  had  a 
governess.  Madam. 

Lady  Catherine. 
No  governess !     I  never  heard  of  such  a  thing !     Your 
mother  must  have  been  quite  a  slave  to  your  education. 

Elizabeth. 
[Smiling.]     I  assure  you  she  was  not,  Lady  Catherine. 

Lady  Catherine. 
Then  who  taught  you?     Without  a  governess  you  must 
have  been  neglected. 

Elizabeth. 
Such  of  us  as  wished  to  learn,  never  wanted  the  means, 
Madam. 

Lady  Catherine. 
Well,  if  I  had  known  your  mother,  I  should  have  ad- 


120        PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

vised  her  most  strenuously  to  engage  a  governess.  I  should 
have  seen  to  it  myself.  [To  Charlotte.]  Go  on  with 
your  work,  Mrs.  Collins.  A  clergyman's  wife  should  set 
an  example  of  industry.  {Looking  at  Charlotte's  em- 
broidery  with  disapproval.']  I  will  send  you  some  more  of 
the  parish  petticoats  to  hem,  Mrs.  Collins.  [To  Eliza- 
beth.] Go  on  with  your  work,  Miss  Bennet.  Young 
ladies  should  never  be  idle.  [Both  Elizabeth  and  Char- 
lotte go  on  with  their  embroidery.  Looking  hard  at 
Elizabeth.]     Pray  what  is  your  age,  Miss  Bennet? 

Elizabeth. 
I  am  not  one  and  twenty. 

Lady  Catherine. 
You  have  sisters,  have  not  you? 

Elizabeth. 
Yes,  Madam. 

Lady  Catherine. 
Are  any  of  them  out? 

Elizabeth. 
All,  Madam. 

Lady  Catherine. 
What!     All  out  at  once?     Very  odd!     Out  before  the 
oldest  is  married ! 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        121 

Elizabeth. 

Really,  Madam,  I  think  it  would  be  very  hard  on  the 
younger  sisters  not  to  have  their  share  of  society  because 
the  eldest  one  does  not  happen  to  be  married.  That  would 
hardly  be  likely  to  promote  sisterly  affection,  or  delicacy  of 
mind. 

Lady  Catherine. 

Upon  my  word,  you  give  your  opinion  very  decidedly  for 
so  young  a  person!  Your  sisters  may  be  married  before 
you.  You  must  not  be  too  ambitious.  A  good  many 
young  girls  have  lost  their  chances  through  being  too 
ambitious.  [Looking  at  a  large  picture  on  the  wall  and 
then  pointing  to  it.]  Mrs.  Collins,  I  suppose  you  have 
shown  Miss  Bennet  this  print  of  Pemberley — Mr.  Darcy's 
place  ? 

Charlotte. 

Yes,  Lady  Catherine. 

Lady  Catherine. 
[Complacently. 1     Pemberley  is  one  of  the  finest  places 
in  England.     My  daughter  Anne  is  very  fond  of  it,  which 
is  fortunate,  since  she  will  probably  spend  the  most  of  her 
life  there. 

Charlotte. 
Most  fortunate,  your  Ladyship. 

Lady  Catherine. 
[To   Elizabeth.]     You  see  my  nephews   here  often, 
Miss  Bennet? 


122        PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Elizabeth. 
[Mischievously.']     Yes,  very  often,  Lady  Catherine. 

Lady  Catherine. 
Humph !     Well,  idle  young  gentlemen  often  make  very 
foolish  use  of  their  time.     My  daughter,  Miss  de  Bourg, 
is  unfortunately  not  able  to  accompany  Mr.  Darcy  in  his 
walks  as  often  as  both  of  them  could  desire. 

Mr.  Collins. 
[Entering.']     I  think  your  Ladyship's  mind  may  be  quite 
at  rest  about  the  horses.     Jones  seems  to  have  them  well  in 
hand. 

Lady  Catherine. 
Oh,  I  am  glad  you  have  come  back,  Mr.  Collins.  I  am 
going  to  ask  you  and  Mrs.  Collins  to  go  and  see  the  new 
cottages  with  me.  I  shall  take  you  in  the  carriage.  [To 
Charlotte.]  You  had  better  put  on  a  plain  bonnet,  Mrs. 
Collins. 

Charlotte. 
By  all  means,  your  Ladyship.     [She  goes  out] 

Lady  Catherine. 
Are  you  quite  ready  to  go,  Mr.  Collins?^ 

Mr.  Collins. 
Oh — assuredly,  your  Ladyship — quite ! 

Lady  Catherine. 
[To  Elizabeth.]     Miss  Bennet,  I  should  advise  you  to 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        123 

write  to  your  family  while  we  are  gone.  [Charlotte  re- 
turns in  Tier  bonnet  and  mantle.  Lady  Catherine  looks 
her  over.]     Yes,  that  will  do  very  well ! 

Charlotte. 
[To  Elizabeth.]     We  shall  not  be  gone  very  long, 
Eliza. 

Lady  Catherine. 
I  am  not  sure  of  that,  Mrs.  Collins,  but  I  have  provided 
an  occupation  for  Miss  Bennet  during  our  absence.    Good 
morning,  Miss  Bennet.    I  may  ask  you  later  for  dinner. 

Elizabeth. 
[Curtsying.']      Good  morning,  Madam.     [All  go   out} 
Mr.  Collins  showing  servile  attentions  to  Lady  Cath- 
erine. Elizabeth  watches  them  from  the  door.]    Really ! 
I  might  have  spared  myself  some  of  the  mortifications  I 
have  felt  for  the  shortcomings  of  my  own  family.     The 
contrast  is  not  such  a  violent  one  after  all.     [Looking  at 
the  writing  desk.]     However,  Lady  Catherine  can  give 
good  advice.    I  really  ought  to  write  to  my  poor,  dear  Jane. 
[She  seats  herself  at  the  writing  table — gets  out  her 
paper,  etc.  and  begins  her  letter  when  the  door-bell 
sounds.    Elizabeth  starts  and  is  putting  away  the 
writing  materials,  when  the  maid  ushers  in  Mr. 
Darcy,  who  seems  much  excited.] 

Darcy. 
I  am  here  again,  Miss  Bennet.     I  saw  Mr.  and  Mrs. 


124        PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Collins  drive  away  with  my  aunt.  I  have  something  which 
I  must  say  to  you.  [He  walks  excitedly  up  and  down  for 
a  moment,  while  Elizabeth  watches  him  in  amazed  silence. 
Then  he  suddenly  goes  up  to  her  and  begins  to  speak  in  an 
agitated  manner.]  Miss  Bennet — in  vain  have  I  struggled ! 
It  will  not  do !  My  feelings  will  not  be  repressed !  You 
must  allow  me  to  tell  you  how  ardently  I  admire  and  love 
you! 

Elizabeth. 
[Is  perfectly  astounded.    She  stares,  colours,  doubts, 
and  is  silent.'] 

Daroy. 

[Taking  her  silence  for  encouragement.]  Miss  Bennet, 
I  can  well  understand  your  own  astonishment  at  this  dec- 
laration, for  I  am  amazed  at  myself !  My  feeling  for  you 
has  taken  possession  of  me  against  my  will,  my  reason, 
and  almost  against  my  character ! 

Elizabeth. 
[Starting  in  indignation.]     Sir! 

Darcy. 
Oh,  understand  me,  I  beg  of  you!  For  yourself  alone 
my  admiration  is  only  too  natural.  I  share  it  with  every- 
one who  has  the  happiness  of  knowing  you.  But — pardon 
me — for  it  pains  me  to  offend  you — the  defects  of  your 
nearest  relations,  the  total  lack  of  propriety  so  frequently 
betrayed  by  your  family,  has  so  opposed  my  judgment  to 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        125 

my  inclination,  that  it  has  required  the  utmost  force  of 
passion  on  my  part  to  put  them  aside.  But,  my  dear  Miss 
Bennet,  your  triumph  is  complete.  Your  own  loveliness 
stands  out  the  fairer  in  its  contrast  to  your  surroundings, 
and  I  now  hope  that  the  strength  of  my  love  may  have  its 
reward  in  your  acceptance  of  my  hand. 

Elizabeth. 

[Who  has  gone  through  all  sorts  of  emotions  during  this 
speech,  speaks,  in  a  constrained  manner  as  if  trying  to 
control  herself. ,]  Mr.  Darcy — in  such  cases  as  this,  it  is, 
I  believe,  the  established  mode  to  express  a  sense  of  obliga- 
tion for  the  sentiments  avowed,  however  unequally  they  may 
be  returned.  If  I  could  feel  gratitude  I  would  now  thank 
you.  But  I  cannot.  I  have  never  desired  your  good 
opinion,  and  you  have  certainly  bestowed  it  most  unwill- 
ingly. 

Darcy. 

[Leaning  against  the  mantel-piece,  hears  her  words 
with  no  less  resentment  than  surprise.  After  a  little  he 
speaks  in  a  voice  of  forced  calmness.']  And  that  is  all 
the  reply  which  I  am  to  have  the  honour  of  expecting  ?  I 
might  perhaps  wish  to  be  informed  why,  with  so  little  en- 
deavour at  civility,  I  am  thus  rejected.  But  it  is  of  small 
importance. 

Elizabeth. 

I  might  as  well  inquire  why,  with  so  evident  a  design  of 
insulting  me,  you  chose  to  tell  me  that  you  liked  me 
against  your  will,  your  reason,  and  even  against  your  char- 


126       PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

acter!    Was  not  this  some  excuse  for  incivility,  if  I  was 
uncivil  ? 

Darcy. 

I  very  clearly  explained  that  the  objections  which  ap- 
pealed to  my  reason  applied  entirely  to  your  family,  and 
in  no  respect  to  yourself. 

Elizabeth. 
I  am  a  part  of  my  family,  Mr.  Darcy;  and  allow  me  to 
say  that,  since  I  have  had  the  opportunity  of  comparing 
my  relations  with  your  own,  the  contrast  is  not  so  marked 
as  I  had  been  led  to  suppose.  [Darcy  starts.]  But — 
aside  from  all  questions  of  either  feeling  or  family — do 
you  think  any  consideration  would  tempt  me  to  accept  the 
man  who  has  been  the  means  of  ruining,  perhaps  forever, 
the  happiness  of  a  most  beloved  sister,  and  involving  her 
in  misery  of  the  acutest  kind?  [Darcy  looks  at  her  with 
a  smile  of  incredulity.']  Can  you  deny  that  you  have  done 
this? 

Darcy. 
I  have  no  wish  of  denying  that  I  did  everything  in  my 
power  to  separate  my  friend  from  your  sister.  I  did  not, 
indeed,  anticipate  that  I  should  involve  either  of  them  in 
"misery"  of  any  kind.  On  your  sister's  side,  at  least,  I 
was  never  able  to  discover  any  symptoms  of  peculiar  re- 
gard for  Mr.  Bingley.  While,  for  every  reason,  I  must 
rejoice  in  my  success  with  my  friend;  toward  him  I  have 
been  kinder  than  toward  myself. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        127 

Elizabeth. 

[With  disdain.']  Your  arrogance  in  calmly  deciding  the 
extent  of  other  people's  sentiments  does  not  surprise  me. 
It  is  of  a  piece  with  your  whole  nature !  But  your  inter- 
ference in  my  sister's  concerns  is  not  all.  Long  before  it 
had  taken  place,  my  opinion  of  you  was  decided.  Your 
character  was  unfolded  in  the  recital  which  I  received 
months  ago  from  Mr.  Wickham.  [Darcy  starts  excit- 
edly.'] What  can  you  have  to  say  on  this  subject?  In 
what  imaginary  act  of  friendship  can  you  here  defend 
yourself  ? 

Darcy. 

[In  a  tone  of  suppressed  excitement,  in  marked  con- 
trast to  his  previous  self-assured  manner.]  You  take  an 
eager  interest  in  that  gentleman. 

Elizabeth. 
Who  that  knows  what  his  misfortunes  have  been  can 
help  feeling  an  interest  in  him? 

Darcy. 

[Contemptuously.]  His  misfortunes!  Yes,  his  mis- 
fortunes have  been  great  indeed ! 

Elizabeth. 

[With   energy.]     And  of  your  infliction!    You  have 

reduced  him  to  his  present  state  of  poverty — comparative 

poverty ;  you  have  withheld  the  advantages  which  you  must 

know  to  have  been  designed  for  him.    You  have  done  all 


128        PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

this,  and  yet  you  can  treat  the  mention  of  his  misfortunes 
with  contempt  and  ridicule! 

Daecy. 

[Walking  up  and  down  the  room  with  quick  steps.'] 
And  this  is  your  opinion  of  me  ?  This  is  the  estimation  in 
which  you  hold  me!  I  thank  you  for  explaining  it  so 
fully.  [Stopping  and  looking  at  her.]  Perhaps  if  I  were 
to  divulge  the  truth  regarding  Mr.  Wickham,  I  might  give 
you  as  great  a  surprise  as  you  have  given  me.  [After 
a  slight  pause.]  I  do  not  care  to  go  into  particulars, 
but  in  justice  to  myself,  I  must  tell  you  that  the  man 
whom  you  consider  a  martyr  is  a  profligate  with  the  most 
vicious  propensities.  A  man  who  should  never  have  en- 
tered your  home,  for  his  presence  there  is  a  constant  source 
of  danger. 

Elizabeth. 

[In  indignation.]     Mr.  Darcy ! 

Daecy. 
[With  dignity.]  I  am  ready  to  give  you  the  full  proofs 
of  all  I  have  said,  Miss  Bennet,  whenever  you  may  so  de- 
sire, although  I  would  gladly  forget  all  the  miserable  cir- 
cumstances myself,  and  no  obligation  less  than  the  present 
should  induce  me  to  unfold  them  to  any  human  being. 

Elizabeth. 
[Coldly.]     Your  judgment  in  the  matter  of  my  sister's 
happiness  has  given  me  a  gauge  by  which  I  can  measure 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        129 

your  fairness  to  a  man  who  has  been  so  unfortunate  as  to 
offend  you.    My  faith  in  Mr.  Wickham  is  unshaken. 

Darcy. 

[Looking  at  Elizabeth  in  indignation  and  by  a 
great  effort  governing  himself.']  I  shall  take  what  you 
have  said,  Miss  Bennet,  as  a  reflection  on  my  judgment 
alone;  otherwise,  my  veracity  would  be  at  stake,  and  this, 
I  am  sure,  you  did  not  intend.  Indeed  I  understand  your 
whole  position  perfectly.  I  have  erred  in  the  manner  of 
my  declaration.  Your  bitter  accusations  might  have  been 
suppressed,  had  I  concealed  my  struggles.  It  is  my  own 
fault.  I  have  wounded  your  pride.  I  should  have  flattered 
you  into  the  belief  that  I  was  impelled  by  inclination,  by 
reason,  by  reflection,  by  everything!  But.  disguise  of 
every  sort  is  my  abhorrence.  Could  you  expect  me  to  re- 
joice in  the  inferiority  of  your  connections? 

Elizabeth. 
[Angrily.']  And  do  you  expect  me  to  rejoice  in  your 
proposal  that  I  ally  myself  to  the  conceit  and  imperti- 
nence of  yours?  No,  Mr.  Darcy!  The  manner  of  your 
declaration  has  affected  me  only  in  one  way : — it  has  spared 
me  the  concern  which  I  might  otherwise  have  felt  in  re- 
fusing you,  had  you  behaved  in  a  more  gentlemanlike  way. 
[Darcy  starts.]  You  could  not,  however,  have  made  me 
the  offer  of  your  hand  in  any  possible  way  that  would  have 
tempted  me  to  accept  it.  [Darcy  looks  at  Tier  with  an 
expression  of  mortified  amazement.]     I  had  not  known 


130        PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

you  a  month,  before  I  felt  that  you  were  the  last  man  in  the 
world  whom  I  could  ever  be  prevailed  upon  to  marry. 

Darcy. 

You  have  said  quite  enough,  Madam !  I  perfectly  com- 
prehend your  feelings  and  have  now  only  to  be  ashamed  of 
what  my  own  have  been.  Forgive  me  for  having  taken 
up  so  much  of  your  time,  and  accept  my  best  wishes  for 
your  health  and  happiness.  [Darcy  hastily  leaves  the 
room.'] 

Elizabeth. 

[Sinking  into  a  chair,  then  getting  up  and  walking  ex- 
citedly about  the  room.]  To  insult  my  family!  To  think 
I  was  ready  to  fall  on  my  knees,  in  gratitude  for  his  con- 
descension! To  calmly  dispose  of  Jane's  happiness! 
[Stopping  in  her  walk  and  with  a  half-amused  smile.] 
And  yet  really  to  be  in  love  with  me  in  spite  of  every 
obstacle.  [Throwing  herself  again  into  the  chair,  half 
laughing,  half  crying.]  Oh,  Jane,  Jane !  I  wish  you  were 
here! 

Martha. 

[Enters  with  a  letter.]  Here  is  a  letter,  Miss.  The  ex- 
press has  just  brought  it. 

Elizabeth. 
A  letter?    Forme? 

Maid. 

Yes,  Miss — [She  gives  Elizabeth  the  letter;  curtsies 
and  goes  out.] 


PBIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        131 

Elizabeth. 
[Looking  at  the  letter .]  Why,  it  is  from  Jane !  What 
can  be  the  matter?  [She  opens  the  letter  hurriedly  and 
reads.]  "  Dearest  Lizzy — I  have  bad  news  for  you,  and  it 
cannot  be  delayed.  An  express  came  to  us  last  night  from 
Colonel  Forster.  He  told  us  that  Lydia  had  run  away  from 
Brighton  with  one  of  his  officers: — to  own  the  truth — 
with  Wickham! 

Elizabeth. 
Oh!  Wickham!    [Going  on  with  the  letter.']     "He  first 
thought  they  had  gone  to  Scotland,  but,  oh,  Lizzy,  it  is  far 
worse  than  that !     We  now  know  that  Wickham  never  in- 
tended to  go  there,  or  to  marry  Lydia  at  all ! " 

Elizabeth. 

Oh !  [Reading  again.]  "  Colonel  Forster  has  been  here 
to-day.  He  says  Wickham  is  not  a  man  to  be  trusted !  He 
has  left  Brighton  terribly  in  debt,  and  his  record  is  bad  in 
every  way.  Oh,  Lizzy,  our  distress  is  very  great!  My 
father  is  going  to  London  with  Colonel  Forster  instantly  to 
try  to  discover  the  fugitives.     It  is  hard  to  ask  you  to 

shorten  your  visit,  but  we  are  in  such  distress  that " 

[Darting  from  her  seat.]  Oh  where — where  is  the  ex- 
press? I  must  write.  No — I  must  go.  Oh,  Lydia  and 
Wickham !  I  must  go  at  once !  I  must  send  someone  for 
a  carriage.  [She  rushes  to  the  garden  door  calling.] 
Martha,  Martha!  The  express!  [Suddenly  she  calls 
again.]     Oh,  Colonel  Fitzwilliam,  is  that  you? 


132       PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Colonel  Fitzwilliam. 
[Appearing  in  the  garden.]     What  is  the  matter,  Miss 
Bennet? 

Elizabeth. 
[Wildly."]  Oh,  Colonel  Fitzwilliam — the  express — or 
can  you  get  me  a  carriage?  I  have  bad  news  from  home. 
I  must  return  at  once  and  Mr.  Collins  is  away.  Will  you 
be  so  kind?  [She  falls,  half -fainting,  upon  a  chair  near 
the  door.] 

Colonel  Fitzwilliam. 
[With  concern.]     Certainly,  my  dear  Miss  Bennet — of 

course — but [Calling  off.]     Darcy,  don't  wait  for  me. 

I  can't  join  you  now.     Miss  Bennet  is  in  distress. 

Darcy. 
[Entering.]     Miss  Bennet?     Good  God!    What  is  the 
matter  ? 

Colonel  Fitzwilliam. 
Miss  Bennet  has  just  had  bad  news  from  home.     She 
wishes  to  return,  and  desires  a  carriage. 

Darcy. 
[In  a  decided  tone.]     Do  you  go  for  the  carriage,  Fitz- 
william.   Get    one    from    the    stables.     [Fitzwilliam 
hesitates.] 

Darcy. 
Go.    I  will  remain  with  Miss  Bennet. 
[Fitzwilliam  goes  out.] 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        133 

Darcy. 
[To  Elizabeth  very  gently.']     Shall  I  call  the  maid, 
Miss  Bennet?    A  glass  of  wine?     Shall  I  get  it  for  you? 
You  are  very  ill. 

Elizabeth. 
[Hardly  able  to  speak.]     No,  I  thank  you:  there  is 
nothing  the  matter  with  me.     I  am  quite  well.     I  am  only 
distressed  by  some  dreadful  news  which  I  have  just  re- 
ceived from  Longbourn.     [She  hursts  into  tears.] 

Darcy. 
[Helplessly.]    I  am  sorry,  very  indeed ! 

Elizabeth. 
[After  a  short  silence.]     I  have  just  had  a  letter  from 
Jane  with  such  dreadful  news!     It  cannot  be  concealed 
from  anyone. 

Darcy. 
I  am  grieved,  Miss  Bennet.    Grieved  indeed! 

Elizabeth. 
Oh,  Mr.  Darcy,  you  were  right.    If  I  had  only  believed 
you !     You,  and  others !    But  I  could  not  believe  it.    [She 
sobs.] 

Darcy. 
[Greatly  moved.]     What  is  it,  my  dear  Miss  Bennet? 
What  has  happened? 


134        PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Elizabeth. 
[Wildly.]  Oh,  I  cannot  tell  it,  and  yet  everyone  must 
know!  My  sister  Lydia — has — has  eloped — has  thrown 
herself  into  the  power  of — of  Mr.  Wiclcham!  She  has  no 
money,  nothing  that  can  tempt  him  to — she  is  lost  forever ! 
[She  sobs  again.'] 

Darcy. 
Good  God,  Miss  Bennet !     Your  sister  and  Wickham ! 
Oh,  this  is  my  fault.    I  should  have  realised  this  danger — I 
should  have  spoken.     My  own  wretched  experience  with 
this  man  should  have  been  told. 

Elizabeth. 
[Wonderingly.]     Your  experience ! 

Darcy. 
Yes — I — you  remember.     I  hinted  it  to  you — to-day. 
But  I  should  long  ago  have  spoken  boldly. 

Elizabeth. 
What  do  you  mean? 

Darcy. 
Mr.  Wickham  attempted  this  same  plan  with  my  own 
sister — two  years  ago.  She  was  an  ignorant,  innocent, 
trusting  girl  of  fifteen.  Happily,  his  villainy  was  dis- 
covered and  prevented.  But  oh,  I  should  have  told  you! 
Had  his  character  been  known,  this  could  not  have 
happened. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        135 

Elizabeth. 
You  tried  to  tell  me,  Mr.  Darcy.     Everybody  has  tried 
to  warn  me.     But  I  could  not  believe  it,  and  now — it  is 
too  late,  too  late ! 

Darcy. 
Let  us  hope  not.     Is  what  you  have  told  me  certain — 
absolutely  certain? 

Elizabeth. 
Oh,  yes.     They  left  Brighton  together  on  Sunday  night. 
They  are  certainly  not  gone  to  Scotland. 

Darcy. 
And  what  has  been  done,  or  attempted,  to  recover  your 
sister  ? 

Elizabeth. 
My  father  has  gone  to  London.  He  will  beg  my  uncle 
Gardiner's  assistance.  But  nothing  can  be  done !  I  know 
very  well  that  nothing  can  be  done.  How  is  such  a  man 
to  be  worked  on  ?  How  are  they  ever  to  be  discovered  ?  I 
have  not  the  smallest  hope.     It  is  all  horrible ! 

Darcy. 

Miss  Bennet,  I  have  made  a  wretched  mistake  in  all 
this.  Would  to  Heaven  that  anything  could  be  said  or 
done  on  my  part  that  might  make  you  reparation,  or  offer 
consolation  to  such  distress ! 

[Elizabeth  rinks  sobbing  into  a  chair  while  Darcy 
walks  up  and  down  in  deep  thought.  In  a  moment 
a  carriage  is  heard  outside — then  voices.'] 


136       PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Daroy. 
[Looking  out.']     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Collins  are  returning. 
What  would  you  wish  me  to  do? 

Elizabeth. 
Oh,  I  do  not  know !    I  do  not  know ! 

Darcy. 

[Returning  to  Elizabeth,  speaks  quickly  and  in  deep 
concern.']     You  really  wish  to  return  home  at  once? 

Elizabeth. 
[Rising    from    her    chair.]     Oh,    yes,    yes — at    once. 
[Reaching  her  hand  to  him  appealingly.]    Take  me  home. 
Mr.  Darcy!     Take  me  home! 

[At  this  instant  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Collins  appear  at  the 
garden  door,  and,  transfixed  with  astonishment, 
stand  gazing  at  Darcy  and  Elizabeth.] 


ACT  IV 


ACT  IV 

The  Lawn  and  Shrubbery  at  Longbourn.  Mrs.  Bennet  is 
seated  in  a  garden  chair  with  pillows  at  her  back.  She 
has  an  umbrella  over  her  head.  Near  her  stands  a  table 
on  which  are  bottles,  dishes,  etc.  She  wears  a  big  cap, 
and  is  gowned  in  a  widely-flowing,  flowered  chamber- 
robe,  over  which  is  fastened  a  shawl;  across  her  knees 
is  a  lap-robe.  Her  entire  get-up  is  grotesque  and  laugh- 
able. About  her  hover  the  housekeeper,  Hill  and 
Jane. 

Jane. 

Dear  mamma,  do  try  and  take  some  of  this  nice  gruel. 
You  will  be  ill  if  you  do  not  eat  something. 

Hill. 
Yes,  do,  I  beg  of  you,  Madam.     Now  that  you  are  once 
more  in  the  air,  if  you  will  only  take  some  food  you  will 
feel  much  better. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Fretfully.]  How  can  I  feel  better  ?  I  must  be  ill.  It 
is  all  very  well  for  the  rest  of  you,  now  that  this  disgrace 
has  been  brought  upon  me — but  if  I  had  been  able  to  carry 
my  point — if  I  could  have  gone  to  Brighton  with  all  my 
family,  this  would  never  have  happened.     But  poor  dear 

139 


140        PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Lydia  had  nobody  to  take  care  of  her.  Oh,  that  villainous 
Wickham!  I  am  sure  there  was  some  great  neglect  or 
other  somewhere,  for  Lydia  is  not  the  kind  of  girl  to  run 
away  with  a  man.  But  no  one  would  listen  to  me.  I  was 
overruled,  as  I  always  am.    Poor  Lydia !    Poor  dear  child ! 

Jane. 
[Soothingly.']    Oh,  mamma,  try  to  be  calm. 

Hill. 
Yes,  Madam,  this  excitement  is  so  bad  for  you. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
How  can  I  help  being  excited?  You  have  no  feelings. 
Here  is  Mr.  Bennet  gone  away,  and  I  know  he  will  fight 
that  abominable  Wickham  and  be  killed.  And  then  what  is 
to  become  of  us  all  ?  The  Collinses  will  turn  us  out  before 
Mr.  Bennet  is  cold  in  his  grave. 

Jane. 
Oh,  mamma,  do  not  have  such  terrific  ideas. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Weeping.']     If  my  brother  Gardiner  is  not  kind  to  me, 
I  do  not  know  what  we  shall  do. 

Jane. 
Yes,  yes.     My  Uncle  Gardiner  is  very  kind.     He  is 
doing  everything  in  his  power  for  us.     He  is  helping  my 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        141 

father  now  in  London,  yon  know.  I  hope  he  will  find 
Lydia,  and  perhaps  he  may  be  able  to  arrange  a  marriage 
after  all.    You  must  not  give  up  so,  dear  mamma. 

Hill. 
No  indeed,  Madam.     You  must  not  indeed. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 

[Brightening.]  Yes,  Jane,  that  is  true.  My  brother 
may  be  able  to  see  that  they  are  married.  Write  to  him 
at  once,  Jane.  Tell  him  to  find  them  out  wherever  they 
may  be,  and  if  they  are  not  married  already,  make  them 
marry.  Oh,  I  do  think  that  Wickham  is  the  wickedest 
young  man  in  the  world  to  so  deceive  my  poor  innocent 
Lydia.  But,  Jane,  go  and  write  my  brother  and  tell  him 
that  Lydia  need  not  wait  for  wedding  clothes — don't  let 
her  even  give  directions  till  she  has  seen  me,  for  she 
doesn't  know  which  are  the  best  warehouses.  And  oh, 
Jane,  tell  my  brother  to  keep  your  father  from  fighting 
that  hateful  Wickham.  Tell  him  what  a  dreadful  state  I 
am  in. 

Jane. 

Yes,  mamma.    [She  is  about  to  go.~\ 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Where  are  you  going  ? 

Jane. 
Why,  to  write  the  letter,  mamma. 


142        PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Fretfully.']     Oh,  not  just  this  minute.     Don't  leave  me 
alone.     Where  is  Lizzy? 

Jane. 
She  has  gone  down  the  road  to  meet  the  post.     She 
hopes  to  bring  you  good  news. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Lamenting.']  She  had  better  stay  here  and  be  of  some 
help.  She  has  only  just  got  home  and  now  she  leaves  me. 
But  nobody  thinks  of  me.  Nobody  knows  what  I  suffer. 
I  am  frightened  out  of  my  wits.  I  have  such  tremblings 
and  flutterings  all  over  me — such  spasms  in  my  side — and 
pains  in  my  head,  and  such  beatings  at  my  heart.  Oh,  I 
can  get  no  rest  by  night  or  by  day!  [To  Hill.]  You 
might  try  and  do  something,  Hill.  Where  is  my  soothing 
draught  ? 

Hill. 
[Looking.]     Here,  Madam.     No,  I  must  have  left  it  in 
your  room.    I  will  run  fetch  it.     [She  goes  out  quickly.] 

Jane. 
[Who  has  been  looking  off  toward  the  driveway  during 
part    of    this    tirade.]     Oh,    mamma — mamma!     Lizzy's 
running  up  the  drive.     She  is  smiling!     She  has  some 
good  news,  I  am  sure. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        143 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Take  care,  Jane.     You  are  exciting  me.     Oh,  my  poor 
nerves. 

[Elizabeth  enters,  breathless.     She  has  a  letter  in 
her  hand.] 

Elizabeth. 
Oh,  good  news — good  news,  Jane ! — mamma !    They  are 
married ! 

Jane. 
Oh,  Lizzy — Lizzy ! 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
You  are  sure,  Lizzy?    Don't  excite  me.    You  are  sure? 

Elizabeth. 
[Half  laughing  and  half  crying.]     Oh,  yes,  'tis  certain. 
My  dear  Aunt  Gardiner  has  written  me  all  about  it.   They 
are  really  married!     Oh,  how  good  my  uncle  is!     [She 
hisses  the  letter.] 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Oh,  Jane — Oh,  Lizzy!     My  dear,  dear  Lydia!     She  is 
really  married !     I  shall  see  her  again !     Oh,  my  good,  kind 
brother !     But  how  did  it  happen,  Lizzy  ? 

Jane. 
Yes,  tell  us  all  about  it.     Let  me  read  it-     [She  reach  es 
for  the  letter.] 


144        PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Elizabeth. 
[Keeping  the  letter.]     No,  I  will  tell  you.     Well,  my 
father  and  my  uncle  succeeded  in  finding  Lydia.     My 
aunt  does  not  tell  me  just  how  it  was  done. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Triumphantly.]     And   your   father   found   that  they 
were  married  after  all.     I  told  him 

Elizabeth. 
No,  mamma.  They  were  not  married,  and  they  had  no 
idea  of  being — but  my  father  and  uncle  insisted  upon  it. 
They  took  Lydia  away  at  once  to  my  aunt's  house  and 
from  there,  they  were  married  only  yesterday  at  St. 
Clement's  Church. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
St.  Clement's — fine! 

Elizabeth. 
My  dear  good  uncle  has  arranged  to  have  all  Mr.  Wick- 
ham's  debts  paid  and  my  father  is  to  settle  an  allowance  on 
Lydia. 

Jane. 
But  where  are  they  ?    What  are  they  going  to  do  ? 

Elizabeth. 
My  father  is  coming  home  at  once.     He  may  be  here  at 
any  moment.     At  first  he  would  not  consent  to  let  Lydia 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        145 

and  Wickham  come  to  us,  but  my  aunt  and  uncle  urged 
it — and  my  father  knew  how  anxious  mamma  would  be — 
and  so  they  are  coming  here  too. 

Jane. 
At  once? 

Elizabeth. 
Yes,  directly,  to-day. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Oh,  my  dear  Lydia !     How  I  long  to  see  her,  and  to  see 
my  dear  Wickham  too.     But  the   clothes,   the  wedding 
clothes !    I  must  write  to  my  Sister  Gardiner  about  them 
directly. 

[She  tries  to  get  out  of  the  chair.] 

Jane. 
Oh,  mamma,  there  is  plenty  of  time  for  that. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Well,  perhaps  so.  My  dear,  dear  Lydia!  How  merry 
we  shall  all  be  together !  I  am  so  happy !  Lydia  married. 
She  is  Mrs.  Wickham.  How  well  it  sounds.  My  dear 
Jane,  I  must  see  about  the  clothes.  We  will  settle  with 
your  father  about  the  money  later.  Oh,  I  am  in  such  a 
flutter !  Here  comes  Hill.  [Hill  enters  with  the  bottle.] 
My  dear  Hill,  have  you  heard  the  news?  Miss  Lydia  is 
married  and  is  coming  home  directly. 

Hill. 
Indeed ! 


146        PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Yes,  you  shall  all  have  a  bowl  of  punch,  to  make  merry 
for  her  wedding,  and  I  am  going  into  the  house  to  write 
about  the  clothes.  [To  Jane,  who  is  going  with  her.'] 
No,  Jane,  you  stay  where  you  are.  I  know  what  I  am 
about.     Come,  Hill.     Think  of  it — Mrs.  Wickham ! 

[She  goes  out  leaning  on  Hill's  arm,  leaving  Jane 
and  Elizabeth  together.] 

Jane. 
Oh,  Lizzy,  how  relieved  and  happy  we  should  be.     Is  not 
it  wonderful?     [Anxiously.']     Are  you  sure  it  is  true? 
Have  you  told  us  all? 

Elizabeth. 
Yes,  Jane,  it  is  true.     They  are  really  married.     And 
for  this  we  are  to  be  thankful.     In  spite  of  Lydia's  folly 
and  Wickham's  wretched  character,  we  are  to  rejoice.    How 
strange  it  is !     Heigh-ho ! 

Jane. 
[Putting  out  her  hand  for  the  letter  which  Elizabeth 
still  carries.]     May  not  I  read  the  letter,  Lizzy? 

Elizabeth. 

No,  not  now,  dear.     My  aunt  has  some  queer  notions 

in  her  head.     Later  perhaps.     [After  a  pause.]     I  am 

very  sorry  now  that  in  my  agitation  I  told  Mr.  Darcy 

about  this  wretched  affair.     Now  that  it  has  come  out  so 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        147 

well,  he  need  never  have  known  anything  about  it,  and  it 
would  have  saved  me  a  great  deal  of  mortification. 

Jane. 
But  how  would  you  ever  have  explained  things  to  Char- 
lotte and  Mr.  Collins  without  his  help  ?    Mr.  Darcy  made 
everything  so  smooth  and  plausible  for  your  sudden  de- 
parture. 

Elizabeth. 
Yes,  that  is  true. 

Jane. 
Really,  Lizzy,  I  think  I  shall  have  to  take  up  the  cudgels 
in  Mr.  Darcy's  defence.  His  kindness  to  you  has  quite 
won  my  heart,  and  his  amazing  proposal  was  certainly  a 
most  flattering  compliment.  Why  can  you  see  no  good  in 
Mr.  Darcy,  Lizzy?  You  were  always  so  full  of  excuses 
for  Wickham,  though  it  is  true  his  open  and  delightful 
manners  deceived  us  all. 

Elizabeth. 
Yes,  there  certainly  was  some  great  mismanagement  in 
the  education  of  those  two  young  men.     One  has  all  the 
goodness  and  the  other  all  the  appearance  of  it. 

Jane. 
I  never  thought  Mr.  Darcy  so  deficient  in  the  appearance 
of  it  as  you  did,  and  he  certainly  could  hardly  have  had  the 
friends  he  has  if  he  did  not  possess  some  good  qualities. 


148       PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

[Shyly, ,]     Lizzy,  have  you  heard  that  Mr.  Bingley  is  back 
in  Netherfield? 

Elizabeth. 
[Astonished.']     Oh,   Jane,   no.     When   did   he   come? 
Have  you  seen  him  ? 

Jane. 
No ;  I  hardly  expect  to  see  him. 

Elizabeth. 
[Brightly.']     Yes,  you  will,  if  he  has  returned.     [Sud- 
denly clapping  her  hands.]    Oh,  I  understand.    [Kissing 
her.]    My  darling  Jane,  you  are  going  to  be  very  happy ! 

Jane. 
Lizzy  dear — don't,  don't.     That  is  all  over  now,  and  be- 
sides I  don't  want  to  be  happy  unless  you  can  be,  too. 

Elizabeth. 
Oh,  forty  Mr.  Bingleys  wouldn't  make  me  happy.     Till 
I  have  your  disposition,  I  never  can  have  happiness.     No, 
no,  let  me  shift  for  myself.     Perhaps  if  I  have  very  good 
luck  I  may  meet  with  another  Mr.  Collins  in  time. 

Harris. 
[Entering.]     Mr.  Bennet  has  returned,  Madam,  and  is 
looking  for  you. 

Jane. 
Papa  returned ! 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        149 

Elizabeth. 
Where  is  he,  Harris?  [Looking  off.~\     There  he  comes! 
Papa! 

[They  run  to  meet  Mr.  Bennet,  and,  bringing  him 
in,  seat  him  in  a  garden  chair,  one  on  either  side 
of  him.~] 

Elizabeth. 
Papa,  tell  us  all  about  it  quickly — quickly. 

Jane. 
Are  they  really  married,  papa  ? 

Mr.  Bennet. 
Yes,  that  misfortune  is  well  settled  on  them.    They  are 
married  fast  enough. 

Elizabeth. 
And  where  are  they?    When  will  they  be  here? 

Mr.  Bennet. 
I  should  say  they  would  be  here  directly.     I  didn't  care 
to  travel  with  them,  but  they  are  not  far  behind — only  just 
far  enough  to  keep  out  of  the  dust  of  my  post  chaise. 

Elizabeth. 
Dear  papa — how  you  must  have  suffered ! 

Mr.  Bennet. 

Say  nothing  of  that — who  should  suffer  but  myself  ?    It 
has  been  my  own  doing,  and  I  ought  to  feel  it. 


150       PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Elizabeth. 
You  must  not  be  too  severe  upon  yourself. 

Mr.  Bennet. 
You    may  well  warn  me  against  such  an  evil.    No, 
Lizzy,  let  me  once  in  my  life  feel  how  much  I  have  been  to 
blame.     The  impression  will  pass  away  soon  enough. 

Elizabeth. 
But,  papa,  how  did  you  persuade  them  to  marry? 

Mr.  Bennet. 
I  didn't  persuade  them;  I  haven't  the  means.     It  is  all 
your  uncle's  doing.     He  has  managed  to  buy  Wickham 
for  us. 

Jane. 
Oh,  dear  good  uncle ! 

Mr.  Bennet. 
[Looks  at  Jane  quizzically.']     But  there  are  two  things 
that  I  want  very  much  to  know — one  is  how  much  money 
your  uncle  has  laid  down  to  bring  it  about,  and  the  other, 
how  I  am  ever  to  pay  him. 

Jane. 
But  my  uncle  did  not  do  it  all  ? 

Elizabeth. 
No,  papa.    My  Aunt  Gardiner  has  written  me  that  you 
are  to  give  Lydia  an  allowance. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        151 

Mr.  Bennet. 
Yes,  one  hundred  a  year.    Do  you  think  that  any  man  in 
his  proper  senses  would  marry  Lydia  on  so  slight  a  tempta- 
tion as  one  hundred  a  year  ? 

Elizabeth. 
That  is  very  true,  though  it  had  not  occurred  to  me  be- 
fore.    Oh,  it  must  be  my  uncle's  doings.     Generous  man ! 
I  am  afraid  he  has  distressed  himself.     A  small  sum  could 
not  do  all  this. 

Mr.  Bennet. 
No,  Wickham's  a  fool  if  he  takes  Lydia  with  a  farthing 
less  than  ten  thousand  pounds.     I  should  be  sorry  to  think 
so  ill  of  him  in  the  very  beginning  of  our  relationship. 

Elizabeth. 
Ten  thousand  pounds!    Heaven  forbid!    How  is  one- 
half  such  a  sum  to  be  repaid? 

Mr.  Bennet. 
That  is  what  I  should  like  to  know. 

Elizabeth. 
Well,  my  uncle's  kindness  can  never  be  requited.     If 
such  goodness  as  his  does  not  make  Lydia  miserable.,  then 
she  will  never  deserve  to  be  happy. 

[Laughter  and  voices  are  heard  outside.'] 


152        PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Elizabeth. 
Surely  I  hear  voices.     [Looking  off.]     Why,  they  have 
come.    See  papa — Jane — there  are  Lydia  and  Wickham. 

Mb.  Bennet. 

Yes,  here  they  are.    I  will  go  to  the  library.    I  can  re- 
ceive their  congratulations  later.     You  know  I  am  pro- 
digiously fond  of  Wickham,  Lizzy.     I  defy  even  Sir  Wil- 
liam Lucas  himself  to  produce  a  more  valuable  son-in-law. 
[He  goes  out.'] 

Jane. 
I  must  run  and  tell  mamma. 

[She  is  just  starting  when  Wickham  and  Lydia 
enter.  They  are  in  travelling  dress  and  are  fol- 
lowed by  servants  bringing  all  sorts  of  bandboxes, 
wraps  and  parcels.  They  come  in  with  the  utmost 
unconcern  and  no  shadow  of  shame.] 

Lydia. 
Well,  Jane,  well,  Lizzy,  here  we  are ! 

Wickham. 
[Smiling  and  unabashed.]     My  sister,  Jane — My  sister 
Elizabeth. 

[He  kisses  their  hands.  Jane  and  Elizabeth  are 
confused  and  blushing.  Neither  Wickham  nor 
Lydia  is  in  the  least  discomposed.] 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        153 

Lydia. 
[Looking  about.']  Good  gracious !  Here  I  am  again !  I 
am  sure  I  had  no  idea  of  being  married  when  I  went 
away,  though  I  thought  it  would  be  very  good  fun  if  I 
was.  Why  don't  you  take  the  boxes  in,  Harris  ?  Wickham, 
have  you  seen  my  pink-flowered  bandbox?  [Looking  over 
the  parcels.]  No,  it  isn't  here.  Oh,  my  dear  Wickham, 
do  go  fetch  it — you  know  'tis  the  box  with  the  white  satin 
hat  you  bought  me.  I  wouldn't  lose  it  for  the  world. 
Go,  go ! 

Wickham. 
Certainly,  my  dear.      [To   the  girls.]     You  see  how 
eagerly  I  embrace  my  new  opportunities ! 
[He  runs  out,  laughing.] 

Lydia. 
[To  Elizabeth  and  Jane.]     Oh,  girls,  I  am  dying  to 
give  you  an  account  of  my  wedding. 

Elizabeth. 
I  think  there  cannot  be  too  little  said  on  that  subject. 

Lydia. 
La,  you  are  so  strange.  But  Jane  wants  to  hear,  I 
know.  Anyway,  I  want  to  tell  you.  Well,  there  was  such 
a  fuss!  My  aunt  was  preaching  and  talking  away  to  me 
all  the  time  I  was  dressing,  just  as  if  she  was  reading  a 
sermon.     I  didn't  hear  one  word  in  ten  of  it  all.     I  was 


> 


154        PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

thinking  of  my  dear  Wickham.  I  longed  to  know  whether 
he  would  be  married  in  his  blue  coat.  Well,  we  got  to 
church,  and  then  my  uncle  gave  me  a  fright  after  we  got 
there,  because  he  was  so  late,  and  he  was  going  to  give  me 
away,  you  know.  But  then,  if  he  hadn't  come,  Mr.  Darcy 
might  have  done  as  well. 

Jane  and  Elizabeth. 
Mr.  Darcy! 

Lydia. 
Oh,  yes,  Darcy  was  there.  He  came  along  with  Wick- 
ham. [Suddenly  stopping.']  But  gracious  me!  I  quite 
forgot.  I  ought  not  to  have  said  a  word  about  it.  I 
promised  them  as  faithfully — what  will  Wickham  say? 
It  was  to  be  such  a  secret. 

Jane. 
If  it  was  to  be  a  secret,  Lydia,  say  not  another  word  on 
the  subject.     We  shall  ask  you  no  questions. 

[Elizabeth  looks  most  anxious,  tut  says  nothing.'] 

Lydia. 
Thank  you — for  if  you  did,  I  should  certainly  tell  you 
all,  and  then  Wickham  would  be  angry.     [She  sees  Mrs. 
Bennet,  who  enters  in  great  excitement  from  the  house-] 
Oh,  there  is  mamma. 

[They  rush  into  each  other's  arms.    Wickham  returns 
at  about  the  same  time.] 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        155 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
Oh,  my  dear,  dear  Lydia!     [To  Wickham  with  affec- 
tionate warmth.']     My  dear  Wickham ! 
[They  also  embrace."] 

Lydia. 
Oh,  mamma !  Aren't  you  glad  to  see  us  ?  [Wickham 
turns  and  talks  to  Jane  and  Elizabeth.]  Do  all  the 
people  hereabouts  know  that  I  am  married  ?  I  was  afraid 
they  might  not,  and  so  I  let  my  hand  just  rest  on  the 
window-frame  outside  the  carriage,  so  that  everybody  could 
see  my  wedding  ring;  and  then  I  bowed  and  smiled  like 
everything. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
You  may  be  sure,  my  dear,  that  everybody  will  rejoice 
with  us  in  our  good  luck.  [Sighing.]  Your  marriage  is  a 
great  compensation  to  me  after  all  my  disappointment 
about  Jane  and  Lizzy.  I  do  not  blame  Jane,  for  she  would 
have  got  Mr.  Bingley  if  she  could.  But  Lizzy!  Oh, 
Lydia,  it  is  very  hard  to  think  she  might  now  have  been 
Mrs.  Collins !     But  how  about  your  clothes  ? 

Lydia. 
Oh,  I  have  a  lot  already.    You  may  be  sure  I  would  not 
forget  them. 

Mrs.  Bennet. 
[Alarmed.]     But  you  didn't  know  the  best  warehouses! 
Well,  never  mind,  we  will  see  to  that  later.     Now  you  must 


156        PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

all  come  in  and  have  dinner.     You  must  be  famished. 
Come,  girls.    Come,  my  dear  Wickham. 

[They  all  go  toward  the  house.    At  the  door  Lydia 
pushes  Jane  back.] 

Lydia. 
Ah,  Jane,  I  take  your  place  now.    I  go  first  because  I 
am  a  married  woman. 

[They  all  go  into  the  house.    After  a  pause,  Harris's 
voice  is  heard  outside,"] 

Harris. 
Will  not  you  come  into  the  house,  Madam? 

Lady  Catherine. 
[Entering,  followed  by  Harris.]    No,  I  prefer  to  remain 
here.     Tell  Miss  Elizabeth  Bennet  that  a  lady  wishes  to 
see  her  at  once.    Remember,  I  cannot  be  kept  waiting. 

Harris. 
Yes,  Madam.     [He  bows  and  goes  out.] 

Lady  Catherine. 
[Looks  about  her  with  a  sniff,  then  deliberately  seats 
herself  in  the  big  garden  chair  with  the  umbrella  over  it. 
She  mutters  to  herself  from  time  to  time  and  taps  her  foot 
impatiently.]  Insufferable  impudence!  Conceited  little 
minx !    She  shall  have  a  piece  of  my  mind. 

[Elizabeth  comes  to  her  from  the  house.] 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        157 

Lady  Catherine. 
[Without  moving.']     Miss  Bennet,  you  can  be  at  no  loss 
to  understand  the  reason  of  my  journey  hither.     Your  own 
heart — your  own  conscience  must  tell  you  why  I  come. 

Elizabeth. 
[In  unaffected  astonishment.']     Indeed,  you   are  mis- 
taken, Madam.     I  am  not  at  all  able  to  account  for  the 
honour  of  seeing  you  here. 

Lady  Catherine. 
Miss  Bennet,  you  ought  to  know  that  I  am  not  to  be 
trifled  with.  I  have  just  been  told  that  you — that  Miss 
Elizabeth  Bennet  would  in  all  likelihood  be  soon  married 
to  my  nephew,  Mr.  Darcy.  Though  I  know  it  to  be  a 
scandalous  falsehood,  I  instantly  resolved  on  setting  off 
for  this  place  that  I  might  make  my  sentiments  known  to 
you. 

Elizabeth. 
[With  astonishment  and  disdain.]  "  If  you  believed  it 
impossible  to  be  true,  I  wonder  you  took  the  trouble  of 
coming  so  far.     What  could  your  Ladyship  propose  by  it? 

Lady  Catherine. 
At  once  to  insist  upon  having  such  a  report  universally 
contradicted. 

Elizabeth. 
[Coolly.]     Your  coming  to  Longbourn  to  see  me  and  my 


158       PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

family,  will  be  rather  a  confirmation  of  it,  if  indeed  such  a 
report  is  in  existence. 

Lady  Catherine. 
If!    Do  you  then  pretend  to  be  ignorant  of  it?    Do  you 
not  know  that  such  a  report  is  spread  about? 

Elizabeth. 
I  never  heard  that  it  was. 

Lady  Catherine. 
And  can  you  likewise  declare  that  there  is  no  foundation 
for  it? 

Elizabeth. 
Your  Ladyship  may  ask  questions  which  I  shall  not 
choose  to  answer. 

Lady  Catherine. 
This  is  not  to  be  borne.     Miss  Bennet,  I  insist  upon  be- 
ing satisfied.     Has  he — has  my  nephew  made  you  an  offer 
of  marriage? 

Elizabeth. 
Your  Ladyship  has  declared  it  to  be  impossible. 

Lady  Catherine. 
It  ought  to  be  so.    But  your  arts  and  allurements  may 
have  made  him  forget  what  he  owes  to  himself  and  to  all 
his  family.     You  may  have  drawn  him  in. 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        159 

Elizabeth. 
If  I  have,  I  shall  be  the  last  person  to  confess  it. 

Lady  Catherine. 
Miss  Bennet,  do  yon  know  who  I  am?    I  have  not  been 
accustomed  to  such  language  as  this.     I  am  Mr.  Darcy's 
own  aunt,  and  am  entitled  to  know  all  his  dearest  con- 
cerns. 

Elizabeth. 
But  you  are  not  entitled  to  know  mine. 

Lady  Catherine. 
Let  me  be  rightly  understood.     This  match  can  never 
take  place.     No,   never.     Mr.   Darcy   is   engaged  to   my 
daughter.    Now  what  have  you  got  to  say  ? 

Elizabeth. 
Only  this — that  if  it  is  so,  you  can  have  no  reason  to 
suppose  Mr.  Darcy  will  make  an  offer  to  me. 

Lady  Catherine. 
[Hesitating.']  The  engagement  between  them  is  of  a 
peculiar  kind.  While  in  their  cradles,  my  sister  and  I 
planned  their  union.  Do  you  pay  no  regard  to  the  wishes 
of  his  friends?  Do  not  you  see  that  honour,  decorum — 
nay,  interest,  forbid  you  marrying  my  nephew?  Yes  m- 
terestj  Miss  Bennet.  For  you  will  be  slighted  and  despised 
by  everyone  connected  with  him ! 


160       PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Elizabeth. 
These   are  heavy  misfortunes.     But  the  wife  of  Mr. 
Darcy  must  have  such  extraordinary  sources  of  happiness 
that  she  could  have  no  cause  to  repine. 

Lady  Catherine. 
[In  a  rage.']     Obstinate,  headstrong  girl !     Tell  me  once 
for  all — are  you  engaged  to  my  nephew? 

Elizabeth. 
{Hesitates,  then  firmly.]     I  am  not. 

Lady  Catherine. 
[Relieved.]     And  will  you  promise  me  never  to  enter 
into  such  an  engagement  ? 

Elizabeth. 
I  will  make  no  promise  of  the  kind. 

Lady  Catherine. 
Miss  Bennet,  I  am  shocked  and  astonished.    I  shall  not 
go  away  until  you  have  given  me  the  assurance  I  require. 

Elizabeth. 
And  I  certainly  never  shall  give  it.    I  must  beg,  there- 
fore, to  be  importuned  no  further  on  the  subject. 

Lady  Catherine. 
[In  a  fury,  but  trying  to  speak  calmly.]     Not  so  hasty, 
if  you  please.     I  had  hoped  to  spare  you  this  last  humilia- 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A   PLAY        161 

tion — but  your  insolence  forbids  it.  I  am  no  stranger  to 
the  particulars  of  your  sister's  infamous  elopement.  I 
know  all !  The  young  man's  marrying  her  was  a  patched- 
up  business  at  the  expense  of  my  nephew.  [Elizabeth 
starts  violently. 1  Oh,  you  needn't  start,  Miss!  Nobody 
knows  about  the  whole  affair  better  than  you.  But  I  don't 
wonder  you  blush  to  find  yourself  discovered.  You  used 
your  arts  well.  My  nephew  must  have  spent  full  five  or 
six  thousand  pounds  to  save  your  family  from  disgrace.  I 
should  think  that  such  generosity  might  appeal  a  little  to 
your  gratitude  and  your  sense  of  decency. 

Elizabeth. 
[Amazed.]     Oh,  Madam,— I 


Lady  Catherine. 
It  is  quite  useless  to  protest.  I  have  my  facts  from  the 
best  authority.  Heaven  knows  Darcy  has  reason  enough 
to  keep  away  from  Wickham's  flirtations  and  entangle- 
ments, but  [stopping  herself.]  that  is  a  family  affair. 
However,  you  have  managed  to  get  him  mixed  up  in  them 
again  to  the  extent  of  five  thousand  pounds.  But  that  is 
not  enough, — you  want  to  make  this  shameless  girl  my 
nephew's  sister,  and  the  son  of  his  father's  steward  his 
brother.  Heaven  and  Earth!  Are  the  shades  of  Pem- 
berley  to  be  thus  polluted  ? 

Elizabeth. 
[Speaking  with  great  effort.]     Madam,  you  have  in- 


162       PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:   A    PLAY 

suited  me  in  every  possible  manner.   I  must  beg  to  return 
to  the  house.     This  is  beyond  endurance. 

Lady  Catherine. 
Selfish  girl !    You  are  then  resolved  to  have  him  ? 

Elizabeth. 
Lady  Catherine,  I  have  nothing  further  to  say. 

Lady  Catherine. 

[Rising  from  her  chair.]  Very  well.  I  shall  now  know 
how  to  act.  Do  not  imagine  your  ambition  will  be  grati- 
fied. Depend  upon  it,  I  shall  carry  my  point.  [Going.] 
I  take  no  leave  of  you,  Miss  Bennet.  You  deserve  no  such 
attention.     You  will  see  what  it  is  to  rouse  my  displeasure. 

[Lady  Catherine  goes  out] 

Elizabeth. 
[Sinking  upon  the  garden  seat,  overwhelmed.]     Can  it 
be  possible?    Do  we  owe  all  this  to  Darcy?     Oh,  it  is 
intolerable!     [She  puts  her  hands  over  her  face  in  an 
abandonment  of  grief.] 

Jane. 
[Is  heard  outside   calling.]      Lizzy!      Lizzy!       [She 
enters,  and  on  seeing  her  sister    rushes  to  her.]    Lizzy 
dear!    What  is  it?    Is  there  any  new  trouble? 

Elizabeth. 
[Throwing  her  arms  about  her  sister.]    Oh,  Jane,  Jane ! 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        163 

Yes,  there  is  no  end  of  trouble.    Lady  Catherine  has  been 
here. 

Jane. 
[Astounded.]     Lady  Catherine! 

Elizabeth. 
Yes,  yes,  and — she  says — that— oh,  Jane 

Jane. 
[Distressed.]     Tell  me,  Lizzy! 

Elizabeth. 
She  says  it  was  Darcy  who  paid  all  the  money  to  Wick- 
ham — it  was  Darcy  saved  us— and — and  she  says  I  per- 
suaded him.    /  ensnared  him,  and — and  she  has  insulted 
me. 

Jane. 
My  dear,  dear  Lizzy.  -  There  must  be  some  mistake.    It 
was  my  good  uncle  who 

Elizabeth. 
[A  little  calmer.]     No — no,  Jane,  it  must  be  true.     I 
can  put  things  together  now.    My  aunt's  hints  in  the  let- 
ter— you  know  I  did  not  want  to  show  it  you.     Then  what 
Lydia  let  fall,  and  her  fear  of  Wickham's  anger. 

Jane. 

[Soothingly.]     Well,  dear,  even  so,  Mr.  Darcy's  motive 
is  clear  enough — and  that  should  give  you  no  pain. 


164       PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Elizabeth. 
You  are  mistaken.  I  know  his  motive.  He  feels  that 
he  is  responsible  because  he  was  silent  about  Wickham's 
true  character.  He  told  me  that  all  this  would  never  have 
happened,  had  he  done  his  duty.  And  now,  he  will  despise 
us.  He  will  never  wish  to  see  us  again  as  long  as  he  lives ! 
[She  walks  up  and  down  in  great  excitement.'] 

Harris. 
[Entering;   to    Jane.]     The    young    gentlemen    from 
Netherfield,  Madam.    I  told  them  they  would  find  you  here. 

Elizabeth. 
Oh,  Jane,  I  cannot  see  them. 

[She  tries  to  run  away,  hut  before  she  can  escape 
Bingley  enters,  all  smiles,  followed  by  Darcy, 
who  looks  very  much  troubled  and  excited.  They 
are  both  in  riding  dress;  Darcy  carries  a  whip.] 

Bingley. 
[Shaking  hands.]     Miss  Bennet,  I  am  so  happy  to  see 
you  again.     Miss  Elizabeth,  it  is  good  indeed  to  be  back 
once  more  at  Longbourn. 

[He  takes  Jane  to  a  garden  seat] 

Darcy. 
[Embarrassed.]     Miss  Bennet,  believe  me,  I  should  not 
have  followed  my  friend.     I  only  expected  to  ride  with 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        165 

him  to  the  Lodge,  but — but  I  met  my  aunt  coming  away 
from  here,  and  from   something  she  said,  I   feared, — I 
imagined  she  might  have  offended — distressed  you. 
[Elizabeth  does  not  reply.] 

Bingley. 
[Gaily.]     Miss  Bennet  is  going  to  show  me  the  Hermit- 
age.   We  shall  be  back  directly. 
[Jane  and  Bingley  go  out] 

Darcy. 
[Looking  anxiously  at  Elizabeth,  who  remains  silent.] 
Forgive  my  intrusion.    I  will  go. 
[He  starts  to  go  away.] 

Elizabeth. 
[Recovering  herself.]  No — stay,  Mr.  Darcy.  Excuse 
my  own  incivility.  Your  aunt's  visit  has  excited  me.  I 
shall  be  myself  in  a  moment.  [Darcy  stands  by,  misera- 
ble. At  length  she  speaks  in  a  calmer  tone.]  Mr.  Darcy, 
your  aunt  has  told  me  of  our  overwhelming  obligation  to 
you.  You  must  let  me  thank  you  for  your  unexampled 
kindness  to  my  poor  sister. 

Darcy. 
[Exploding  and  banging  his  whip  against  his  knees.] 
Damn! — Oh,  I  beg  your  pardon,  Miss  Bennet.     I  beg 
your  pardon.    What  right  has  my  aunt  to  meddle  in  my 
affairs  ?    How  dare  she  give  you  such  distress  ? 


166       PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Elizabeth. 
It  is  far  better  that  we  know  the  truth,  Mr.  Darcy.     For 
my  part,  I  can  never  express  to  you  our  obligation. 

Darcy. 
Oh,  Miss  Bennet — I  beg  of  you!     The  obligation  was 
entirely  my  own.     I  only  did  what  was  my  decent,  plain 
duty.     [Faltering.']     You    remember — I    told    you — if    I 
had  spoken,  this  would  never  have  happened. 

Elizabeth. 
Yes,  I  remember.    But  you  exaggerated  your  responsi- 
bility.    I — we — of  course  my  father  will  see  you  about 
your   loan   to   us.     I   would   not   have   Lady    Catherine 

think 

Darcy. 
[Furious  again.']     Oh,  I  will  settle  matters  with  Lady 
Catherine!     Have  no  fears  on  that  score,  Miss  Bennet. 
She  shall  be  set  right,  I  assure  you. 

Elizabeth. 
Thank  you.    And  for  all  your  trouble — your  kindness 
— my  family  can  never  repay  you. 

Darcy. 
Your  family  owes  me  nothing.    If  I  had  any  thought  be- 
yond my  duty,  it  was  a  thought  of — you.     [Elizabeth 
turns  away.]     Oh,  pardon  me.     Perhaps,  I  ought  not  to 
say  all  this — but  I  owe  you  a  great  deal,  Miss  Bennet — 


PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY        167 

more  than  yon  can  know;  and  I  want  yon  to  understand 
me  better.  I  really  am  not  the  pretentious  prig  I  must 
have  seemed  to  you.  I  wish  you  could  forgive  my  abomin- 
able pride. 

Elizabeth. 
[Loohing  at  him  with  a  half  smile.']     I  will,  on  one 
condition. 

Daroy. 

Name  it. 

Elizabeth. 
That  you  forget  my  unwarrantable  prejudice. 

Darcy. 

Oh,  Miss  Bennet !  [He  goes  impetuously  forward — then 
restraining  himself,  smiles  and  looks  down  at  her.]  I  really 
think,  after  all,  I  shall  have  to  be  grateful  to  my  aunt.  She 
has  done  us  an  enormous  service. 

Elizabeth. 
[Smiling  still  more.]     Well,  Lady  Catherine  loves  to  be 
useful ! 

[At  the  bach  of  the  scene  Bistgley  and  Jane,  absorbed 
in  each  other,  pass  by,  hand  in  hand.  Elizabeth 
holes  at  them,  then  turns  to  Daroy.] 

Elizabeth. 
[Archly.]     Is  that  by  your  permission? 


168       PRIDE    AND    PREJUDICE:    A    PLAY 

Darcy. 
[Ruefully.]     Yes,  I  told  you  I  had  been  kinder  to  my 
friend  than  to  myself. 

[Elizabeth,  silent,  still  looks  after  Bingley  and 
Jane.] 

Darcy. 
[Continues  in  a  discouraged  tone.]     Well,  I  deserve  it. 
It  is  my  own  fault.     My  selfish  conceit  has  wounded  you 
past  help.    Every  sentiment  of  your  nature  has  felt  it — 
seen  it. 

Elizabeth. 
[Demurely.]     But  one  sentiment  they  say  is  blind. 

Darcy. 

[Stunned.]  Miss  Bennet!  [Elizabeth  loohs  up  at 
him.  He  rushes  toward  her.]  Dearest,  loveliest  Eliza- 
beth! 

[He  holds  her  in  his  arms.] 


curtain. 


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